The Port Elizabeth Oratory

The process for the foundation of a Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Port Elizabeth began in November 2002 when three priests Fathers of the Oudtshoorn Oratory moved to Port Elizabeth with the intention of establishing a second Congregation of the Oratory in South Africa. The Port Elizabeth Oratory was canonically established by the Holy See on 12 May 2008 and a celebration was held on 15 August, presided over by the Papal Nuncio to South Africa, Rt. Rev.  Archbishop James Patrick Green, J.C.D., to commemorate the establishment.

Since arriving in Port Elizabeth the Oratory has served the local church in many ways, including serving in the parishes of St Bernadette's (Walmer),  St Patricks (Sydenham), Sacred Heart (Kabega Park), St Don Bosco (Kwa Zakhele), Resurrection (Zwide), and the Catholic Community of St Luigi Scrosoppi in Gqebera. Members of the community also teach in the local Catholic and government schools.

The Port Elizabeth Oratory also runs the St Philip Neri Collegium, preparing formerly disadvantaged students for the priesthood from around South Africa to enter major seminaries.