— The Anglican Diocese of Port Elizabeth

A History of Faith, Witness and Service

For more than two centuries, the Anglican Church has been part of the story of Port Elizabeth and the surrounding communities. From the arrival of the first Anglican chaplains and settlers in the nineteenth century, through the establishment of the Diocese in 1970, and into the life of the Church today, our story is one of faith, perseverance, service and a continuing commitment to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Today, the Anglican Diocese of Port Elizabeth, within the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, is a diverse family of God serving communities across a wide geographical area of the Eastern and Northern Cape. We are united not simply by our history, but by our shared calling to worship God, follow Christ, serve our neighbours and make the Gospel known.

1820s

First Settler Chaplains

1970

Diocese Established

200+

Years of Local Ministry

Our Foundation

Anglican Heritage in the Eastern Cape

The Anglican story in Port Elizabeth reaches back to 1825, when approximately 500 settlers arrived in the area. Among them was the Revd Francis McClelland, who was appointed Colonial Chaplain that same year.

That year marked an important beginning for Anglican ministry in the growing settlement. A plot of land was granted for the establishment of a place of Anglican worship, and in October 1825 the foundation stone of what would become the Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin was laid.

St Mary’s would become an enduring centre of Anglican worship in the city. Although the foundation was laid in 1825, the church was only opened for worship in 1832. Two centuries later, its story remains deeply woven into the history of Anglicanism in the region.

In 2003, St Mary’s was designated the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, becoming the spiritual and liturgical heart of the Diocese. Its history serves as a powerful reminder that the Church we inherit today was built through the faith, sacrifice and dedication of generations who came before us.

The Birth of the Diocese

While Anglican ministry had existed in Port Elizabeth for well over a century, the Diocese of Port Elizabeth was formally established in 1970, birthing from the Diocese of Grahamstown.

The Right Revd Philip Russell became the first Bishop of the Diocese, serving from 1970 to 1974. He was followed by the Right Revd Bruce Read Evans, who served from 1975 to 1993, and then the Right Revd Eric Pike, who served from 1993 to 2001.

These years were an important period in the history of both the Diocese and South Africa. The Anglican Church was increasingly called to respond to the realities of injustice, inequality and apartheid. Under the leadership of Bishop Russell and Bishop Evans in particular, the Diocese stood in support of the wider anti-apartheid witness of the Church.

In 2001, the Diocese entered another significant chapter with the election of the Right Revd Bethlehem Nopece as our  first Black Bishop. He served as Bishop of Port Elizabeth until 2018. His episcopate reflected the changing face of the Church and the country, as the Diocese continued to seek ways of faithfully living out the Gospel within a changing South Africa.

The Right Revd Dr Eddie Daniels subsequently served as Bishop from 2019 to 2024.

Today, the Diocese is led by the Right Revd Grant Walters.

Architectural portrait shot of a stone Anglican parish church tower set against blue sky and surrounding greenery in the Eastern Cape, soft afternoon light
Architectural portrait shot of a stone Anglican parish church tower set against blue sky and surrounding greenery in the Eastern Cape, soft afternoon light
— Our Geographical Reach

A Diocese of Many Communities

The Diocese of Port Elizabeth is geographically and culturally diverse.

The Diocese currently encompasses 39 parishes and more than 125 clergy, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the Anglican family entrusted to our care.

Our churches are found in cities, towns, townships, rural communities and farming areas. Each parish has its own character, history and ministry, yet we remain one Diocese and one family in Christ.

This diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

We are a Church made up of people from different backgrounds, generations, cultures and circumstances. We gather around the same Lord, the same Gospel and the same hope: Jesus Christ.

Medium shot of historic Anglican cathedral interior with soft sunlight filtering through stained glass onto carved wooden pews and stone columns in Port Elizabeth
Medium shot of historic Anglican cathedral interior with soft sunlight filtering through stained glass onto carved wooden pews and stone columns in Port Elizabeth
— Who We Are

At the heart of our identity is a simple calling:

To know Christ, to make Christ known, and to serve God's people and God's world.

At the heart of our identity is a simple calling:

To know Christ, to make Christ known, and to serve God's people and God's world.

As Anglicans, our life together is shaped by Scripture, prayer, worship, the Sacraments and the life and teaching of the Church. We seek to hold together the richness of our Anglican tradition with the needs and realities of the communities in which God has placed us.

Our ministry is therefore not confined to Sunday worship.

We seek to be a Church that is present in the lives of people — in times of joy and sorrow, in moments of celebration and difficulty, and wherever there is a need for compassion, justice, hope and practical service.

Our parishes are places of worship, but they are also places where relationships are formed, children and young people are nurtured, families are supported, communities are served and people are invited into a deeper relationship with God.

Vertical portrait shot inside a historic stone Anglican cathedral with soft golden sunlight filtering through Gothic arched windows onto carved pews and sanctuary steps
Vertical portrait shot inside a historic stone Anglican cathedral with soft golden sunlight filtering through Gothic arched windows onto carved pews and sanctuary steps

A family of God, rooted in Christ, serving our communities and proclaiming the Good News.

Bound together across 28 parish communities and 8 archdeaconries, we are united in worship, pastoral care, and shared ministry throughout Nelson Mandela Bay and the coastal interior.

Rooted in Christ

Proclaiming Good News

Centered in Scripture, sacraments, and daily prayer, upholding our Anglican heritage across generations. We believe that the Church is called to be a people of faith, hope and love — rooted in Christ and sent into the world.

Inviting all into joyful fellowship, spiritual formation, and faithful witness across the Eastern Cape. Our mission is to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, to nurture disciples, to strengthen our communities and to be a visible expression of God's love.

Pillars of Diocesan Ministry

Guiding our parishes in living out the Gospel through active care, reconciliation, and youth empowerment.

Pastoral Care & Fellowship

Community Reconciliation

Youth & Mission

Nurturing clergy and congregational leadership through regular parish visitations, spiritual direction, and shared prayer retreats.

Promoting peace, justice, and compassionate outreach across diverse neighborhoods throughout Nelson Mandela Bay.

Encouraging young Anglicans to take an active role in church governance, education, and community social action.

As we look towards the future, the Diocese of Port Elizabeth seeks to remain faithful to its calling while responding courageously to the needs of a changing world.

We celebrate the generations who have gone before us. We give thanks for the witness that has brought us to this moment. And we look forward with confidence to the generations still to come.