St Saviour's Church celebrates Reverend Chesnay Frantz's legacy

St Saviour’s Church in Claremont bid farewell to Reverend Chesnay Frantz, who delivered his last sermon at the church on Sunday, September 28.

Reverend Frantz became the church’s youngest rector in the Claremont-based church’s 171-year history when he was appointed in 2020. 

Even though he has only been at the church for five years, he has made a lasting impact. He took over during the COVID-19 pandemic, when churches were closed, and they could no longer have large funerals. (“Cold comfort for bereaved during Covid second wave,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, January 2021)

He became an active member of the Newlands/Claremont Heritage, Environmental Justice and Restitution Society (NCHERS), which was established in 2022 to commemorate and celebrate the memories of former Claremont and Newlands residents who were forcefully evicted during Apartheid. (“Heritage society officially launched, Southern Suburbs Tatler, September 2022)

He also ran an awareness campaign last year to get people involved in celebrating St Saviour's 170th anniversary. (“St Saviour’s looks back on 170 years,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, July 2024)

Reverend Frantz said he was leaving St Saviour's after Bishop Joshua Louw discussed what would be the best direction for the Anglican Church.

“I have always had a deep love for quality theological education and have immersed myself in those spaces. The Bishop felt it good to appoint me as Dean of Studies and, together with the Dean of the Cathedral, felt it fitting to have a pastoral base as Sub-Dean of St George's Cathedral,” he said.

Reverend Frantz said that he is deeply appreciative of the gift and privilege to have this opportunity to reimagine the community in a post-COVID world and to rebuild this Parish community. “My time here was marked by wonderful team work and a great appetite to get things done,” he said.

Onica Louw-Msuti, who is a branch leader for the Mothers’ Union at St Saviour's, said she wished Reverend Frantz all the best during his farewell. “I want to thank him for his leadership within the church and for supporting the Mothers’ union and understanding of family life which he brought into St Saviour's,” she said.

Cameron Scott, who has been a parishioner at the church since 1943, said he was the church warden who sat through the interview process for Reverend Frantz. “He excelled in every capacity; he has brought new vision and a new spirit to the church of worship in promoting Christianity in our parish,” he said.

Reverend Mark Andrews will take over as priest of St Saviour's from the first week of October.