We decided that Edenvale needed some new caches and decided on a Church Series.
Please take note of Service hours for muggle activity :-)
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History of the Catholic Church in Edenvale
The history of the Catholic Church in Edenvale is closely tied to St. Thérèse Catholic Church, which has served as the heart of Catholic worship in the area for many decades. Although the present parish church dates from 1938, the Catholic presence in Edenvale began much earlier. Parish records indicate that as early as 1904, the Church had already established a foothold in the district through the purchase of Horwood’s Farm, situated at the lower end of what is now Horwood Street.
Before there was a permanent church building, Catholic life in Edenvale was sustained in humble and personal ways. The Nazareth Sisters used Edenvale as a place of retreat, staying in a small cottage in what is now Hurlyvale, near present-day St John’s Road. It was there that Fr E. Roux, O.M.I., from Yeoville, is remembered as the first priest to celebrate Mass in the Edenvale area. On other occasions, Bishop O’Leary, O.M.I. also celebrated Mass there. In the months immediately before the opening of the church, Mass was held in the home of Mr and Mrs Patrick Lee in 14th Avenue, Edenvale, reflecting the close-knit and determined nature of the early Catholic community.
A major milestone came in 1938, when the parish church of St. Thérèse was built. The church was dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a patron chosen by Bishop O’Leary. The foundation stone was blessed and laid on 12 June 1938 by Richard and Henry Hurly, members of the family whose name is preserved in Hurlyvale. The church was constructed by George Busschau, and it was officially blessed and opened on 2 October 1938, just before the feast of St. Thérèse. The first parish priest was Fr George Standing, appointed in the same year.
As Edenvale grew, so too did the Catholic parish. In 1952, a parish hall was built to serve the expanding congregation and its social and spiritual activities. In later years, this hall was demolished to make way for a newer and larger church building, showing how the parish adapted to the needs of a growing suburban community. A later message from Bishop Hugh Boyle of Johannesburg praised the completion of this “beautiful church, in modern design,” recognising the dedication of parishioners and clergy alike.
Throughout its history, the parish was shaped especially by the ministry of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.), who served the community faithfully from its earliest years. The parish also benefited from the presence and support of the Holy Rosary Sisters and St Benedict’s College, both of which played an important role in Catholic education and formation in the area.
Today, St. Thérèse Catholic Church remains one of Edenvale’s enduring Christian landmarks. Its story reflects the wider development of Edenvale itself: from a small, scattered community gathering for Mass in cottages and homes, to a well-established parish with deep roots, strong traditions, and a continuing role in the spiritual life of the town.