Reawakening St Augustine Church
Summary
The original St Augustine’s church was built in 1908 and was the first church in the greater Stilbaai area. In 1988 a new church was built in the main part of Melkhoutfontein, with the original church initially being utilised as a creche. Despite the historical importance of the church, over time it was abandoned, fell into a state of disrepair, and became a focal point for anti-social behaviour. Some graves were also desecrated.
In 2014 Dreamcatcher were approached by the then priest, Father Susan Rhoode, the church wardens and the community to help restore it to its former glory and use as a community resource. Moreover as the building was over a century old it was listed with the National Monuments Commission due to its significant historical and cultural importance.
Impact
Starting at the end of 2015 Dreamcatcher led on the regeneration of the church, this included raising funds to implement the following:
Fencing off the church to improve security and prevent further vandalism
Removal of the waste in the church including old timber
Replacement of windows including wooden frame and reglazing
Making repairs to the stonework
Replacing the old brick toilet block with one made from stone in keeping with the church
Installation of security doors
Landscaping the area surrounding the church
Installation of new signage
Refurbishment of the mausoleum including replacing the roof
This work received much local media coverage. In April 2016 the renovation of the church was formally launched at an event led by the wonderful Father Susan with invited dignitaries including Marisa Gerards (the then Dutch Ambassador to South Africa), Dutch celebrity Karin Bloemen (then ambassador to Dreamcatcher), Emor Nel (then Mayor of Hessequa), and community members.
The church was used for community projects including art classes for the DC Kids, and community exhibitions. Explore the gallery below which records our work transforming this beautiful abandoned building back to its former glory.
In 2020 St Augustine’s church took back full custodianship of the church and the surrounding grounds.
Image of St Melkhoutfontein in its full glory in 2007. The image features the choir, the now sadly deceased former Dreamcatcher Homestay Bhuti Bentley, and long time Dreamcatcher supporter and Melkhoutfontein legend – Moses Michaels (Mr Mo) 
Exterior of the church in 2011 
Main entrance to the church in 2012 
Three years later the widow was fully smashed, door graffitied and lamps damaged 
Exterior of the church in 2015 – windows smashed 
Exterior of the church in 2015 – windows broken and partially boarded up 
Waste dumped in the church 
Church stone work in need of repair 
Graves damaged and littered in 2015 
Inside the mausoleum in 2015 
The toilet block in state of disrepair in 2015 
We started refurbishing the church in late 2015. After removing the waste material we started cleaning up internal masonry work. 
Repairing the floor in February 2016 
The inside refurbishment almost complete. A happy Anthea who oversaw the project 🙂 
One last step to give the floor a good clean 
Inside work completed – now for the outside 🙂 
The upgrade work was led by Jacobus picture repointing the stonework 
Re-glazing the broken windows 
Window frames stained 
Beth clearing up the outside of the church 
The transformation of the church – including security screens for the windows and door. Now for other parts of the grounds. 
Old toilet block being broken down by Marthinus and co 
Building new toilet block using local stone 
Installation of tank for new toilet block 
Completed toilet block 
To protect the church from vandalism new fencing was installed around the proximity of the church grounds 
New fencing installed 
We worked with Hessequa municipality to install new signage for the church 
The celebrate the completed refurbishment a launch was held in March 2016. In attendance were community members, funders and local dignitaries 
Father Susan welcoming guests and formally opening the refurbished church 
Then Dreamcatcher ambassador, dutch celebrity Karin Bloemen addressing guests 
Marisa Gerards (the then Dutch Ambassador to South Africa) addressing guests 
DC Kids performing to guests at the launch event 
Between 2016 and 2020 the church was used as a venue to engaged with local youth…. 
….community events…. 
…activities with the DC Kids….. 
and art classes