South Africa endorses freedom of religion in its constitution, so mainstream religions are well represented by places of worship throughout the country and Cape Town is no exception.

Whether you’re a Christian who prefers to attend a service within the stunning architectural edifice that is St George’s Cathedral, or a Zionist who chooses to worship under a spreading African acacia tree, most religions are catered for in the Mother City.

We have included some of the main places of worship on the list below. There are a number of local venues across the city. Please call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or email info@capetown.travel to find out more information.

Traditional churches

The vast majority of South Africans belong to African Independent Churches, which combine traditional ancestral beliefs with Christianity. The Zion Christian Church is the largest of these. Over weekends groups of African Independent Church worshippers in green, blue or white robes, hold prayer meetings out in the open at riversides or in fields.

Catholic

The Catholic Cathedral is opposite Parliament, on the corner of Roeland, St John’s and Plein streets.

Anglican

St George’s Anglican Cathedral is famous for its former presiding bishop, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. A 1905 Herbert Baker Gothic building, it is located on Wale Street opposite St George’s Mall at the entrance to Government Avenue. Call +27 (0)21 424 7360.

Dutch Reformed

The Groote Kerk holds services in Afrikaans, but even if you don’t follow the service, the organ music is superb. Find it on the junction of Adderley, Spin and Bureau streets, opposite the Slave Lodge.

Methodist

The Central Methodist Mission on the corner of Longmarket and Burg streets, Greenmarket Square, is a typical inner-city church with members from all racial and economic backgrounds.

Calvinist

St James Church, 114 Third Avenue, Kenilworth.

Baptist

Meadowridge Baptist Church is easily accessible from the M3 highway by taking the Ladies’ Mile off-ramp.

Charismatic

Vineyard Church, 16 Salisbury Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.

Pentecostal

His People, Cape Town, is a city-wide church with six congregations: Baxter, City Bowl, Kuilsriver, N1 City, Tokai and West Coast.

Township church

St Peters, Harare, Khayelitsha.

Mosques

The Bo-Kaap sector of Cape Town features a number of mosques, the largest of which is the Gatesville Mosque, about 15 minutes from the city centre: Masjid-ul-quds (+27 (0) 21 638 1121). If you walk from the corner of Wale and Chiappini in the Bo-Kaap, you will come across a number of mosques within a few minutes.

Synagogues

Close to the National Art Gallery in Cape Town’s Company’s Garden, worshippers will find the Great Synagogue. Temple Israel services the large Green Point and Sea Point Hebrew congregation. Find it in Marais Road, Sea Point.

Temples

Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Centre can be found at 21 Loch Rd, Rondebosch.

The Gurudwara Sahib Cape Town was inaugurated recently to cater for the growing local Sikh and Punjabi communities. Visit this temple in the Radha Krishna Temple Complex, Jeram Road, Rylands Estate.

There is a Sufi Temple at 183 Campground Road in Newlands.

Phone: +27 (0)21 487 6800

Email: info@capetown.travel