St Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church

History of

Timline of Parish

FOUNDING (1990)

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta started as an outstation of St Patrick’s Parish in 1990 to accommodate the newer suburbs and the agricultural holdings in Benoni. The services were held at the home of Mrs Granham Grant , 9th Avenue , Crystal Park The growth of the congregation resulted in a move to a bigger venue in Crystal Park Primary School. Further growth led to renting a Chapel at the Presbyterian Church at Sentrust street, Crystal Park. Fr Finlayson purchased land in Saldana Street , and plans were in place to build a centre. Fund raising efforts spearheaded by Mrs Lois Lotter started in earnest towards building of the centre. Fr Brian Van Zeil bought more land and this is the land where the current Church stands.

First Christmas Carols (1997)

In 1997 the congregation held their first Christmas carols at the Church premises.

Official Blessing By Bishop Buti (2003)

On the 19 October 2003, during the feast of the Blessed Mother Teresa of Culcutta, Bishop Buti Thlagale officially blessed the centre as a place of worship.

Building of New Church (2011)

Plans to build a new church were put in place in October 2011, when Honourable Bishop Buti Thlagale awarded the centre full parish status.

Bishop blessed the site (2013)

On the 25 May 2013 Bishop blessed the site and the building project resumed.

Significant Role players

Mrs Lois Lotter and family. Headed Catechists, trained alter servers and started literacy and sewing classes for the surrounding community, sewed curtains and oversaw the general upkeep of the Church.
Mr and Mrs Philip and Barbara Palmer for building the centre
Jill McNamara for transporting people and goods to the centre – she has since relocated to the UK.
Mr and Mrs Peter and Myra Hanford, for fund-raising – they have since relocated to Scotland.
Mr Jon Woodcock (deceased).
Anne Murray – donated plants and trees for the garden.
The first Catechism teachers were: Mrs Lotter, Mrs Gunene, Mrs Rhelma Lynwaite, Mrs Josephine Twala, Ms Delisile Mthembu and Mrs Erica Riendfleish.
The CBC bothers in Boksburg donated the alter.
The parish member’s for their role that they have played to assist with fund raising initiatives

History of

Timline of Parish

FOUNDING (1990)

First Christmas Carols (1997)

Official Blessing By Bishop Buti (2003)

Building of New Church (2011)

Bishop blessed the site (2013)

Significant Role players

The following, are the Priests that has officiated mass:

Fr Tebogo Matseke

Fr Stanley Maselombane

Fr Keith

Fr David Evans

Fr Graham Rose

The Salesian Fathers

Fr Terry Nosh

Fr Michel Murphy

Fr Emmaus Luamina

Fr Eugene Oguamanam