Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Maria Ratschitz Catholic Mission Wasbank district, KwaZulu-Natal Robert BRUSSE: Architect Restoration 2000

Date: 1900 Type: Roman Catholic Church Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 28°13'32.17" S 30°01'22.64" E Alt: 1279m

In 1882 a group of Trappist Missionaries under Father Franz Pfanner arrived in the Colony of Natal to establish a mission. Pfanner bought a farm near Durban and named it Marianhill. The Trappists, being an agricultural order, intended to train Zulu families living on the farm in agriculture, animal husbandry, bricklaying and other skills. Expansion from the base of Marianhill was rapid, several "daughter" houses, including Maria Ratschitz, on the farm Boschkloof in the Biggarsberg, were established. The restoration of the buildings and site have been remarkable over the past 20 years. Now an Aids hospice, a retirement home for nuns, a retreat and a remarkable site - peaceful, thought provoking and a visit that will remain in your minds and hearts for year's to come. (Talana Museum, accessed 2020 01 24) Transcript of information stone: THIS CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS WAS RESTORED AND RENOVATED FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR 2000 ENABLED BY AN ANONYMOUS DONATION FROM GERMANY AND WITH THE GENEROUS ASSISTANCE OF THE NARDINI SISTERS RESTORATION OF PAINTINGS and STATUES MR HILMAR BRUCKER OF LUDWIGSHAVEN AND TEAM ALTERS RESTORED - BY BRO FLORIAN, MARIANNHILL ARCHITECT - ROBERT BRUSSE CONTRACTOR - ROD BRENT CONSTRUCTION REDEDICATED FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION 15 AUGUST 2000 BISHOP MICHAEL PASCHAL ROWLAND OFM