Parish life in Sophiatown – St. Joseph’s Diocesan Centre

ABOUT

In 1923, St Joseph’s Home for Children in Sophiatown was opened in memory of the coloured men who had volunteered for the various Corps during WW1. It was run by the Anglican Order of St Margaret, East Grinstead, who remained in charge until 1978 when they left South Africa in protest against apartheid.

Buildings on this property are among the few structures still remaining from the old Sophiatown, which was essentially razed to the ground during the traumatic forced removals of 1955-1960. The Church only managed to oppose the destruction of the home because the property was on farmland and not technically part of a proclaimed township.

Join Joy Campkin-Smith and Sarah Welham (author of ‘Hope Blossoms in Sophiatown - St. Joseph's Home for Coloured Children - The Story’) for a tour of the campus. We’ll hear the stories of those who lived here, and explore many of the lovely old buildings, including The Main Block, the Boys’ House and the Priests Rondavel, all designed by the prominent Diocesan architect F.L.H Fleming.

Please bring along water, hats and good walking shoes. There is secure parking on site.