Preserving Heritage: St Augustine’s Cathedral Battles Deterioration Through Artistic Intervention

Key Takeaways

• St Augustine’s Cathedral in Central, Gqeberha, is hosting its annual art exhibition featuring over 100 works by local artists to raise funds for restoration and bring the community together.
• The exhibition aims to celebrate the local community’s creativity and provide a platform for young and upcoming talent to showcase their work.
• The event will take place from December 5-7, 2025, and will feature a wide range of artworks, including pieces by internationally renowned artist Michael Barry.
• The cathedral is in need of urgent restoration due to "stone cancer" that is threatening its structure, and the exhibition will help raise funds for this purpose.
• The event organizers hope to draw residents back into the Central area of Gqeberha, which many have abandoned, and showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Introduction to St Augustine’s Cathedral
St Augustine’s Cathedral in Central, Gqeberha, is one of the city’s oldest and most storied landmarks, and it is hosting its annual art exhibition this weekend. The exhibition will feature over 100 works by Nelson Mandela Bay artists and will raise funds for urgent restoration to the crumbling stonework of the 159-year-old cathedral. The event will also draw residents back into a part of the city many have abandoned, and will celebrate the local community’s creativity. According to Father Jerry Browne, the cathedral administrator, "art is a universal language" that can bring people together and transcend the markers that divide them.

The History of St Augustine’s Cathedral
St Augustine’s Cathedral has a rich history that dates back to 1861, when construction of the original church began on Castle Hill. The church underwent numerous rebuilds, remodels, and renovations over the years, and it became a cathedral in the 1930s. The MacSherry Hall, where the exhibition will take place, once housed St Augustine’s Catholic School, which is considered one of the oldest Catholic schools in South Africa. The cathedral has been the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth, and it remains a central landmark in the region. Despite its historical significance, the cathedral has begun to deteriorate due to "stone cancer," which is threatening its structure.

The Exhibition and its Purpose
The exhibition will feature a wide range of artworks, including pieces by internationally renowned artist Michael Barry. Barry, who is also the co-organizer of the exhibition, said that the event attracts a wide mix of artists each year, and that it is a great tradition that has become part of the art scene in Nelson Mandela Bay. Some artworks have been donated to raise funds for restoration, while others have been commissioned with a portion of sales going to St Augustine’s. The exhibition will take place from December 5-7, 2025, and will be open to the public. The event organizers hope to raise awareness about the need for restoration and to bring the community together to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Revitalizing the Central Area of Gqeberha
The exhibition is also aimed at revitalizing the Central area of Gqeberha, which many have abandoned. Father Jerry Browne and Michael Barry both emphasized the importance of embracing what the metro has to offer, and encouraging people to visit the area. Browne said that "any other city would give their eye teeth to have what we have here," and that people should not be scared to come to the area, as it is safe and secure with additional security and car guards. The relaunch of the Nelson Mandela Theatre Complex has already brought more people to the area, and the exhibition organizers hope to build on this momentum.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the St Augustine’s Cathedral Art Exhibition is an important event that aims to bring the community together, celebrate the local community’s creativity, and raise funds for urgent restoration to the cathedral. The exhibition will feature a wide range of artworks, and will take place from December 5-7, 2025. The event organizers hope to draw residents back into the Central area of Gqeberha, and to showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage. By supporting this event, the community can help to preserve the cathedral’s structure and promote the city’s cultural development. As Father Jerry Browne said, "we need to claim this space and not just walk away from what we have right here," and the exhibition is an important step towards achieving this goal.