Regina Mundi Catholic Church Soweto Gauteng

1860

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Who we are

Regina Mundi is the largest Roman Catholic Church in South Africa. The Latin 'Reginae Mundi' means "Queen of the World" and refer to the Virgin Mary. The church was built in 1961 and official opened on the 24th of July 1962 by Johannes Baptista Montini, a cardinal of Milan.

Located in the middle of Soweto, in Rockville, in the neighbourhood of Moroka, from afar you're greeted by the A-shaped exterior of the building which is quite ordinary in design. Its main feature is the vast interior that can accommodate as much as 2000-5000 people.

The Church first wrote its name in South Africa's history books during apartheid, when it opened its doors to anti-apartheid groups and provided shelter to activists. It was during the June 16, 1976 student uprisings, protesting students fled to Regina Mundi from Orlando Stadium to escape the police's bullets and teargas canisters. The police followed the students into the church, firing live ammunition and damaging the marble altar and crucifix. Bullet holes are still visible in the church ceiling and damaged marble stand provide tangible evidence of the violence of these police raids and the ensuring rush to evacuate the building.

Due to the role it played as a place of gathering for the people of Soweto in the years before, during, and after the anti-apartheid struggle, it is often referred to as "the people's church" of "the people's cathedral". From 1995 to 1998, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings at Regina Mundi.

Later, in 1997, Nelson Mandela established 30 November as "Regina Mundi Day" to honour the church.

Artworks donated to the Church are displayed within the building and include stain-glass windows Annunciation, by the Jolanta Kwasaniewska and unveiled in 1998.

Regina Mundi continues to play an important role in the social life of Soweto. Weddings, funerals, baptisms of leading personalities and their families as well as ordinary people take place here.

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Street Address

Regina Mundi Catholic Church
1, 149 Mkhize St
Moroka
Soweto, Gauteng 1860
South Africa
Phone: (27) 072-312-7153 / (27) 61-329-4715

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Church Pastor

Fr Nqobile Mzolo OMI
Priest
1, 149 Mkhize St
Moroka
Soweto, Gauteng 1860
South Africa
Phone: (27) 011 986 2546

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Denomination

Roman Catholic



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Affiliations

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Church Website


Regina Mundi Catholic Church on Social Media


YouTube Video: South Africa's Largest Catholic Church - Regina Mundi in Sowet - by LivinginSAtv



Facebook Video: His Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale blessing our new Adoration Chapel - February 18, 2023




Leadership

Leader Name:
Fr Nqobile Mzolo OMI   Edit
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Priest   Edit
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Administration

Admin Name:
Mrs. Aloysia Z. Makua   Edit
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Secretary   Edit
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Mailing Address

P O Box 33
Kliptown, Gauteng
1812   Edit

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Regina Mundi Catholic Church - 1, 149 Mkhize St Moroka, Soweto, Gauteng
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Regina Mundi Catholic Church Mass Times

Tuesday: 18h00 pm
Wednesday to Friday: 08h00 am
Sunday: 07h00 am & 09h00 am

Confessions:

Every Sunday 08h00 am - 08h45 am or by Appointment

Regina Mundi Catholic Church mass times last updated on the 26th of February, 2024
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Regina Mundi Catholic Church Soweto Photos




Regina Mundi Catholic Church History

Regina Mundi Catholic Church is located in the Township of Soweto, in the Suburb of Moroka. The Church forms part of the rich History of Soweto and is the largest Catholic Church in South Africa – able to seat 2 000 people, with standing room for 5 000. The Church played a major role in the struggle for Freedom and is one of the Historic Tourist Attractions in South Africa.

Regina Mundi is Latin for “Queen of the World” and is in reference to the Virgin Mary. The official opening of the Church, on the July 24 1962, was presided over by Johannes Baptista Montini, the Cardinal of Milan.

During the Apartheid era the Regina Mundi Church opened its doors to Anti-Apartheid groups and provided shelter to Anti-Apartheid activists. Because of the refuge it offered Regina Mundi is often referred to as ‘the people’s Church’ or ‘the people’s Cathedral’. During the 1976 student uprisings in Soweto many protesting students fled to Regina Mundi to escape the police bullets and teargas canisters. The police followed the students into the Church, firing live ammunition and damaging the Marble Altar and Crucifix. These bullet holes can still be seen today.

The Church played another important role in the mid 1990s, when Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings from 1995 to 1998 which were held in the Regina Mundi Church. In 1997 President Nelson Mandela named 30 November as “Regina Mundi Day” in honour of the Church and the important role it played in the freedom struggle.

Today the Church continues to play a vital role in the Community and welcomes Visitors from across the World. A Popular Tourist Attraction, in Gauteng, the Church has also hosted Prominent International guests such as Michelle Obama and is often the venue for Concerts and Recitals. Numerous artworks have been donated to the Church and are displayed inside the Building while in the grounds is a lovely Garden with Memorial stones donated by Japanese Christians.

From: https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/regina-mundi-catholic-church-soweto

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Regina Mundi Catholic Church Historical Photos

The power of Christian prayer I want to know Thee
Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Regina Mundi Catholic Church listing was last updated on the 26th of February, 2024
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