St Simon's - Kranshoek

Welcome to St Simon’s – Kranshoek

Our beloved St Simon’s church is located in the area of Plettenberg bay known to many as Kranshoek and also known as a heritage dwelling for the Griqua peoples of Plettenberg Bay, Southern Africa. The parishioners of St Simon’s had first been congregants of St Andrew’s in Piesang Valley and would have Holy Eucharist services every first Sunday of each month under the direction of the Rectors of the Parish of Formosa.

It was Stella Olivier who opened her home to have services for six families who resided in Kranshoek, under the care of the Reverend Mario Hendricks and under the direction of the then Rector of the Parish, the late Reverend David Gwilym. It was thereafter decided that these families should be granted the opportunity under the direction of the Parish of Formosa to start a congregation. In 1998, the small congregation would decide upon the name St Simon of Cyrene, but it was later decided that the name St Simon’s would be best suited.

The congregation soon after became popular in the community of Kranshoek and under the direction of the Late Reverend Rhodes Arends, it was decided that building a creche first would be best for the community and development of the children of the community. The congregation have been able to since the building and blessing of the creche under the episcopacy of Bishop Donald Harker, hold regular Holy eucharist services at the creche.

St Simon’s have in the past couple of years after the building of the creche, been able to raise funds for the building of a church in Kranshoek. The congregation is hopeful that through regular fund raisers and donations that their dream of having a church of their own would come to materialize. The congregation still view St Andrews church as their historical foundation of the Anglican Communion and have regular baptisms in the beloved church.