Upcoming Tours

Holy Corner - A trio of churches

Type of Tour

Walking tour

Date

Saturday, 24th October 2026

Time and Duration

14:00

2.5 Hours

Cost

JHF Members: R205

Non-members: R310

Max people

45

Description

With no less than three churches in a row, the intersection of Smit and Wolmarans Streets is appropriately known as ‘Holy Corner’. This particular trio of churches are not only architectural gems in their own right, they also bear testament to the diversity of faiths that Joburg has always supported.

Join us as we explore the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Constantine and St Helen, the First Church of Christ Scientists, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King. Five decades separate the oldest from the most recent, but all three are beautiful and have qualities reflecting their varying beliefs and the tastes of the times.

Two of the churches were designed by Jewish architect Hermann Kallenbach in a burst of productivity before World War I. The Catholic Cathedral was designed by Brian Gregory, an architect from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Wonderful stained glass brings light and colour into one, an abundance of icons reveals the Greek heritage and liturgy of another, and the fine timber and stonework makes the third a period landmark.

Join our expert guides Clare Van Zwieten, Athena Clayton and Boitumelo Moletsane for a rare opportunity to see the interiors of three fine city churches, and learn about their architecture, history and social significance in changing times.

The tour fee includes a donation to the First Church of Christ Scientists Nursery School.

Please note: Wear good walking shoes and a hat. This is an inner-city tour so please be aware of your surroundings and stick with the group. All churches offer good security.
Parking is available on the grounds of the Cathedral of Christ the King, 186 Nugget Street, Berea. Enter from Smit/Nugget Street.

 

Meeting Place

Cathedral of Christ the King, 186 Nugget Street, Berea

Contact Number

060 813 3239

Stairway to Heaven - Jacaranda views from the Westcliff stairs

Type of Tour

Walking tour

Date

Sunday, 25th October 2026

Time and Duration

09:00

2.5 Hours

Cost

JHF Members: R190

Non-members: R295

Max people

40

Description

To celebrate Jacaranda Season, we invite you to tackle the famous Westcliff stairs and experience the incredible views over a sea of purple.

We start at the historic Hope School – originally a mansion known as Pallinghurst, the home of Raymond and Hope Schumacher. The route then takes us along Pallinghurst Road, down the stairs to Wexford Avenue, across to Westcliff Drive and up to Tyson Road.

Join JHF expert guide David Gurney for a memorable meander through this historic suburb. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the stunning views and some remarkable modernist houses from the 1930’s, with their elegant simplicity, geometric shapes, and innovative steel and concrete construction techniques.

We’ll also meet some of the famous personalities who lived in the area, including sculptor Moses Kottler and a well-known photographer, who had a tenant that wrote a blockbuster novel…

The tour concludes with a visit to Kanonkop and a final climb up the stairs to Woolston Road before heading back down to Pallinghurst Road for our return to the Hope School.

Please note: this tour is very steep and requires a decent degree of fitness. Wear good walking shoes and bring along water and sun protection.

Meeting Place

Hope School, Pallinghurst Road, Westcliff

Contact Number

060 813 3239