Bedford started as a farm in 1883m started and managed by the Holy Cross sisters with the purpose in mind to provide the town convent with produce; there was no intention of launching a mission station. The school also had Missionary influence; many of the children were baptised baptised or otherwise received into the Catholic Church. In 1898 when a chapel in honour of St. Anthony was built; 10 years later a larger church of solid stone was erected with the help of Mr Haefele. The first service was held on the 1^st of November 1910 and Bishop De Lalle blessed the Church on the 15^th of August 1911. In 1919 a new priest’s residence was built from sandstone. Bishop Grueter had his house of retirement constructed in 1968 between the Church and the old Presbytery. In the early 90’s Empilweni was built was built; a place for old people. The Parish has one outstation KwaLink (St. Michael) that was established in 1984.

For More information on this parish please refer to:
1. Transkei For Christ by Fr Marcel Dischl CMM, copyright 1982
2. Chronicle of Mthatha Diocese by Fr. Winfried Egler of 2020

1. Fr Johann Jacob: 1925 – 1927
2. Fr Burkhard Helmstetter: 1927 – 1930
3. Fr Ildephonse Wohlegenant: 1930 – 1931
4. Fr Bonaventure Feuerer: 1931 – 1932
5. Fr Karl Graeder: 1932 – 1933
6. Fr Herbert Fritz: 1933 – 1934
7. Fr Bonaventure Feurer: 1934 – 1945
8. Fr Edmund Frank: 1946 – 1947
9. Fr Jucundus Ebert: 1947 – 1950
10. Fr Modestus Neu: 1951 – 1955
11. Fr Sebastian Gogolin: 1956 – 1960
12. Fr Michael Reidener: 1960 – 1969
13. Fr George Brunner: 1969 – 1971
14. Fr Joseph Schwemmer: 1971 – 1977
15. Fr Hugo Kunz C.M.M.: 1977 – 1984
16. Fr Macarius Haeusler C.M.M.: 1984 – 1989
17. Fr Theodor Zeger C.M.M.: 1989 – 1990
18. Fr Casimire Paulsen C.M.M.: 1993 – 1997
19. Fr Victor Tambala C.M.M.: 1999 – 2004
20. Fr Mafu Ponya C.M.M.: 2002 – 2004
21. Fr John Chikade C.M.M.: 2005 – 2007
22. Fr Casmire Paulsen C.M.M.: 2008 – 2009
23. Fr Francis Ngadi C.M.M.: 2010 – 2011
24. Fr Nicholas Leaka C.M.M.: 2011 – 2012
25. Fr Hormisdas Kasule: 2012 – 2021
26. Fr Raphael Arop: 2021 –

Priest Incharge: Fr. Raphael Arop
CellPhone: 071 908 1684
Email: aropraf@yahoo.com

Address
Chris Hani Location
Mthatha
5099

Postal Address
P.O. Box 60
Mthatha
5099