Regina Mundi Catholic Church
Soweto Gauteng
1860
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.
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.
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.
Church Website
Regina Mundi Catholic Church on Social Media
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
Leader Position:
Priest
Phone:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Fr Nqobile Mzolo OMI
Fr Nqobile Mzolo OMI on Social Media:
Administration
Admin Name:
Mrs. Aloysia Z. Makua
Admin Position:
Secretary
Phone:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Mrs. Aloysia Z. Makua
Mailing Address
P O Box 33
Kliptown, Gauteng
1812
Kliptown, Gauteng
1812
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
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
PRINT
ZOOM
ICAL
SUBSCRIBE
Other information
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
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.
From: https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/regina-mundi-catholic-church-soweto
Help me to avoid every sin
Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen today, To the rising of this life itself; may it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift, and to the glory, aid Thou my soul. With the aiding of Thine own mercy, even as I clothe my body with wool, cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing. Help me to avoid every sin, and the source of every sin to forsake, and as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills, may each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.
Regina Mundi Catholic Church listing was last updated on the 26th of February, 2024
