Bishop Stafford Moses blessed the foundation stone of St Matthew’s Chapel, marking a significant moment of faith and celebration for the Anglican community in Masiphumelele.
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The Anglican community in Masiphumelele marked a milestone moment this month.
Bishop Stafford Moses, from the Anglican Diocese of False Bay, joined by clergy and members, blessed the foundation stone of the new Anglican Chapelry of St Matthew on Saturday April 6.
The blessing marks a significant step in a journey that began over a decade ago, sparked by the vision and support of the late American philanthropists Richard and Mary Nodar.
The couple, from Cleveland, Ohio, first visited Cape Town around 20 years ago to assist with outreach related to HIV/Aids. During this time, they became closely involved with the Anglican community of St Clare of Assisi Church in Ocean View.
Through their home parish, St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ohio, the Nodars helped build a lasting bridge between the communities.
The late Richard and Mary Nodar, whose generosity made the dream of St Matthew’s Chapel a reality for the Masiphumelele community.
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The couple’s daughter, Jennifer Nodar, recently shared a letter her mother wrote in 2018 to then-Bishop Margaret Vertue.
Although never intended for public reading, Jennifer said it offered a deeply personal account of their years in Masiphumelele and felt it fitting to share as the chapel takes shape—calling it “a glimpse into the heart behind it all.”
The letter outlines the couple’s nearly two decades of involvement in supporting youth and literacy programmes, hearing aid initiatives, and church needs and creating foster homes for children affected by HIV/Aids.
From 2003 to 2013, they spent three months annually in South Africa.
Mr Nodar, an audiologist, tested hearing at the Masiphumelele health centre and Ukanyo Primary, helped children and adults access hearing aids, and coached a youth chess team, the Masi Knights.
Ms Nodar, a reading specialist, ran early literacy and after-school enrichment programmes, supported Sunday School, and helped equip the chapelry’s worship space.
Their outreach extended to Ocean View, where they helped establish St Paul’s House of Hope and supported a similar foster home in Masiphumelele with weekly meals, books, and art supplies.
Although both Mr and Ms Nodar died in January 2022, their vision lives on in the chapel now being built.
The letter shared with Bishop Vertue expressed the family’s joy at seeing this vision coming to life and underscored the deep connection the Nodars had with Masiphumelele.
The Reverend Ulric Groenewald, priest-in-charge of the chapelry, said that although the chapel is not yet consecrated, Eucharistic services are already being held there.
Reverend Groenewald confirmed that a significant portion of the funding for the building came from the Nodars and their connections at St Paul’s.
“St Matthew's and St Clare of Assisi church, and our diocese also made funds available,” he said, “but I would say a great percentage of the cost to build that chapel was made available from the donors.”
While a date for the official consecration has not yet been set, he noted it may take place later this year or early next year, depending on when international donors, including those from the US and Canada, can attend.