Holy Trinity Anglican Church, King William's Town
The Parish of Holy Trinity King William’s Town is a central city church serving a multicultural community whose common language is English. The Parish also assists two chapelry communities at Briedbach and another at Berlin. These Chapelries serve distinct and different communities; Breidbach is a largely coloured community who are more comfortable speaking Afrikaans and Berlin serves predominantly Xhosa speaking people. The Diocese of Grahamstown is urging these Chapelries to become independent Parishes in the future. Holy Trinity also presently supplies the Priest in Charge for Stutterheim, a village some 30 km distant.
The sister Parish of St John’s and St Chad’s Zwelitsha some 6 km from Holy Trinity , caters for predominantly Xhosa speakers and has shown vibrant growth in recent years attracting people from the surrounding suburbs and professionals in the public service.
Holy Trinity King William’s Town has a long history of over 160 years providing worship, the means of grace, spiritual support and leadership to the people of the town. The Church building is a gem of British colonial period architecture, has been well maintained and is a National Heritage AA national monument.
The Church building is centrally placed in between two shopping malls and close to the business centre. Lovedale FET College and the Central Prison are close by. The Church stands on a generous property, which is capable of great service-oriented development, creating a meeting place and service centre for the broader community who regularly pass by.
On normal Sundays over 120 communicants take part in sung Eucharist. There is a thriving Sunday school for young children and a vibrant youth group for teens and young adults.
King William’s Town, bordering on Bhisho, the Capital of the Province of the Eastern Cape, has taken on a significant social and political role in the Province. Members of Government leadership, of the Public Service, the Legislature and the House of Traditional Leaders worship at Holy Trinity on occasions . Government welcomes the services of the churches and provides great opportunity for out reach to very influential people provincially and nationally. It is said that King William’s Town /Bhisho are a crucible representing South Africa as a whole.
It has been estimated that over 10 000 learners are educated in fine schools of King William’s Town and the surrounding hamlets. This also implies a large residential educator population. The Provincial Police Head Quarters are housed in and around King William’s Town.
The Rector of Holy Trinity should be:
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A person of disciplined prayer, receiving spiritual direction, concerned with their own spiritual growth and who will develop and deepen the spirituality of the Parish;
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Has the ability to recognise and develop the gifts of others;
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Is a person of deep faith, which can be communicated to others;
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Will uphold traditional Anglican forms of worship and explore new opportunities;
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A person of vision for all the Holy Trinity can become;
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A wise, experienced, energetic Priest, who enjoys the challenge of providing pastoral care for multicultural community of young families, youth, adults and elderly persons;
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Will be well educated and well read, particularly in modern in spirituality and theology; they will have an excellent knowledge of Scripture;
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Will have an ability to communicate the Christian Gospel in an inspiring and motivational way within the socio and economic environment of King William’s Town;
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Has the ability to interact with senior government officials and be a convincing representative in schools and higher education institutions;
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Is able to provide leadership for the ministry team consisting of self supporting priests, curate, wardens, lay ministers and other office bearers;
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Is experienced in Parish administration and finance and can provide direction for delegated staff and volunteers;
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Will be able to travel throughout the Parish to visit parishioners, lead worship and attend evening meetings.