In 1888, Abbot Pfanner purchased a small farm on the west bank of the Umzimkulu River, in the Creighton area. The money needed to buy and develop this land came from a Polish princess and the Mission was consequently named after the great historical Marian Shrine in Poland, Our Lady of Czestochowa. The icon of the Black Madonna has a very long and interesting history of saving the Polish from their enemies. Due to the complexity of the name it was simplified to read “Centocow.”
The Sacred Heart Church at Centocow is one of the finest of all Trappist Churches. Its lofty tower in Italian style is a masterpiece in itself. The stained glass rose window in the apse portrays, under the protective mantle of Our Lady, the many personalities connected with the foundation of Mariannhill and its missions.
It was at this special Mission that the Sodality of the Sacred Heart was founded. The Sodality, such a picturesque part of the Faith in our country, celebrated in June 2019 the 125th anniversary of its foundation. It recorded phenomenal growth, counting its membership in tens of thousands and spreading right throughout Southern Africa.
Consequently, this magnificent Church and Mission which (like so many others, was designed by the famed Mariannhill architect, Brother Nivard), has become a noted place of pilgrimage especially for those devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The missionaries developed Centocow into a flourishing station, making large numbers of converts in the process. The brothers cared for the farm, did all the carpentry, blacksmith work and made the bricks for building operations. They laid out vineyards, forests and orchards which were famous for many years. It is a “must-visit” part of our national Catholic heritage.
