We had a wonderful and comprehensive tour of the Regina Mundi church. Our guide talked about the history of the church, pointed out and explained important artwork and stained glass, pointed out bullet holes in the church, explained their significance, and managed to keep the tour light-hearted as well. I highly recommend visiting the church to get a feel for Soweto and all that has occurred here.
We had a wonderful time at the peaceful Church yesterday. The priest welcomed us as if we were long lost family members and the guide was witty and even test our knowledge of South African and Biblical history with his direct questions. Bullet holes form the 1976 are still visible and the story is told by the glass stained windows. No hurry at all. We walked and took pictures of the lovely interior of the church and the beautiful stained glass windows. The guide answered all our questions and also took us to a photo gallery were he left us to wander at our own pace. There is also a park outside the church grounds and near to it (about two blocks) the Maroka dam is an awesome additional attraction – beautiful, peaceful and a large flock of white geese on the lawn just put the cherry on top of our outing.
We were lucky enough to hear a service in progress with the most wonderful singing and dancing - the atmosphere provides a quiet space, for reflection, and the stain glass windows are inspirational and majestic yet real.
An incredible church - it has an air of history as soon as you walk in. Great photo exhibit upstairs, not to be missed.
Our tour through the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto was very well done. It is the largest Catholic church in South Africa and holds fascinating information from the anti-apartheid struggles. Our guide was funny and kept the entire tour full of interesting facts. You will see bullet holes in the ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows, and get to stand in the footsteps of Michelle Obama and Nelson Mandela.
Apparently Danny, the cathedral guide, was the right choice for the job - very spirit-ual - according to my private guide who waited in the wings. I was oblivious and totally mesmerized by his clearly rote but fascinating tour of the interior. The bullet holes give a sense of the times and it was a novelty to stand in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and Michelle Obama. The thrill for me was to sit in the third row pew where Bill Clinton was seated, all of those warm seats ago. I was pretty ignorant of the events that occurred with this house of God as its epicentre. So some sober lasting memories to remind me of Danny’s silver -tongued monologue.
Bring a pen or marker to share your thoughts on the white wall provided at the back of the church. Again, no one to guide you, but then again, in the house of God, the last thing you would need is someone chit chatting away.
You really should take the chance to listen to one of the local guides of the church. He told me a lot of great things about this church and also told me about popular people, like nelson Mandela or Michelle Obama who went to this church and he showed me the exactly place where there stood and what not. It's a visit worth!
I had no preconceptions I had not heard of it before this visit. It was a highlight of the day. The building itself is impressive and then add the story of what has happened in it. You must go and see and hear.
Visited the Regina Mundi Chuch and learned more about the struggle and how Police raided the church and even came in and shot inside the Church. The glass stained windows depict the events and are very beautiful. I am happy I visited this church as it helps you get the bigger picture of all that happened in those days.