places of worship

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Then and Now – The Green Mosque

With the month of Ramadan starting today, I thought it would be appropriate to do a Then and Now featuring the Masjied-Ul-Aziz (also known as the Pier Street Mosque or Green Mosque).  The mosque was officially opened in July 1901 and the first Imam was Abdul Wahab Salie .  The mosque was destined to be destroyed by the declaration of the Group Areas Act to make way for a freeway off ramp, but the matter went to the United Nations…

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06/06/2016
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St Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church

Since taking over PE Daily Photo (which has been over 7 years already), I don't think I've posted a photo of the Greek church in Parsons Hill yet.  Every time I pass it I think I should stop but always either didn't have my camera or didn't have time.  This week I passed again and had both some time and my camera.  The church is the St Peter's Greek Orthodox Church and the well known Hellenic Hall is also part…

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20/04/2016
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St Mary’s arch

The figure on the arch entrance way outside St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in the Port Elizabeth city centre

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23/12/2013
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Dias Rock at the Green Mosque

The Pier Street Mosque, or Green Mosque as many know it as, is probably one of the most recognisable places of worship in Port Elizabeth.  Not many would know though that the open space next to it is called Dias Park, named after the first European to round the Cape and discover Algoa Bay.  Bartholomeus Dias entered the Bay in 1488 and planted a stone cross on St Croix Island.  Today this rock, which has absolutely no link to Dias what so ever…

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15/11/2013
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Green Mosque Minaret

The minaret of the Pier Street Mosque next to the Settlers Freeway in South End.  The mosque nearly made way for an off ramp in the 1970's with the minaret already removed by the time that the international community got involved and stopped the Apartheid government from proceeding with the demolition.  The Masjied-Ul-Aziz, (Pier Street Mosque) was officially opened in July 1901.

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18/09/2013
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St Mary’s Cathedral

Up to the time that the British Settlers arrived in Algoa Bay in 1820, the needs of the British garrison at Port Elizabeth had been served by chaplains on passing ships.  By 1825 the settlement had grown to about 500 people.  One of these was Reverend Francis McClelland (the same person who built No 7 Castle Hill).  He was appointed Colonial Chaplain that same year and laid the foundation stone for the Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin was laid.  The church was finally…

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08/05/2013
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Temple peacocks

Do you ever wonder where the peacocks around the St Georges Hospital and Settlers Park come from? How did they get there in the first place?  I have to be honest and say that I have never really thought about it until I recently visited the Shri Siva Subramanier Aulayam Temple in Upper Valley Road next to the Baakens Valley.  Peacocks are associated with the Hindu faith in various ways while the temple has a number of permanent peacock residents.  The…

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03/12/2012
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Dias Park

I wonder how many Port Elizabethans know that the grass area next to the Green Mosque in South End is called Bartholomeo Dias Park.  Perhaps you didn't know it but have seen the stone with the granite plaque?  The plaque contains the information of Dias' voyage. 

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09/11/2012
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The Green Mosque

Residents of Port Elizabeth all know the green mosque next to the Settlers Freewat.  The Masjied-Ul-Aziz, also known as as the Pier Street Mosque or Green Mosque, was officially opened in July 1901.  The mosque was destined to be destroyed by the declaration of the Group Areas Act to make way for a freeway off ramp, but the matter went to the United Nations where Islamic countries prevented its destruction.  The mosque remains in daily use as a place of…

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10/10/2012
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Shri Krishna Temple

I've driven past the Shri Siva Subramanier Aulayam Temple in Upper Valley Road many many times but only got to go inside for the first time not too long ago.  The temple was built between 1893 and 1901 by the Hindu community and was consecrated in 1901.  The complex actually has more than one temple with the one in the picture being the Shri Krishna Temple which was erected in memory of JV Valayden in 1961.  The guy who was supposed to…

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11/09/2012