The entrance to the ruined St Peter's Church in South End.The St Peter's Anglican Church in South End, Port Elizabeth was completed in 1877. Situated on the hill overlooking Algoa Bay, it was one of the important places of worship in early Port Elizabeth. Before the height of the Apartheid era the area of South End was a vibrant area inhabited by people from all races. When the Group Areas Act came into being in 1962, non-white people all over South Africa was removed from what was termed white only areas and relocated to the black townships and coloured areas. The people of South End's time was up in 1965 and they were forcibly removed. Although now living on the other side of the city, the congregation of St Peter's Church still came back to worship in the church to the dismay of the Apartheid government. To stop them from doing so it was decided to demolish the church. Today the ruins stand just above the St Mary's cemetery in between modern townhouses.
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GPS: 33°57'59.32"S, 25°37'32.74"E
Ohh, my gosh - this is so beautiful! And just think about the history!! Amazing :) Well captured :)
ReplyDeleteThat is really awful that it fell into such ruin and it only took 50 or so years! Must be the salty sea air. That is an awesome photograph - I love the perspective and the windows and archways.
ReplyDeleteThat's a terrific shot. Well composed.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
That shot is spectacular, really like the composition. I ejoy seeing old buildings and ruins, but what a sad story to have to demolish this bit of history.
ReplyDeleteWow - they went with an extreme "air-conditioning" plan! Must have been a beauty in her day!
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