Why the CHS Life Centre is Becoming a Sought After Venue in Cape Town
An exciting new chapter is unfolding at CHS Life Centre, situated in the Southern Suburbs, Kirstenhof, Cape Town, as it opens wide its doors and its venue to the needs of the public. Not only do we offer venue hire but we hope to be a launching pad to unify and encourage people to become beacons of hope and sources of vital transformation in the community. Our state-of-the-art centre welcomed its first visitors in January 2023 with multi-purpose facilities adaptable to the needs of each host. From bulk-sized conferences, weddings and global summits, to intimate birthday parties and memorial services, we couldn’t be happier with the response!
“A beautiful centre – both the building and the people. It looks and feels how ‘church’ should look everyday – a place of service, refuge and upliftment, Monday to Sunday, not just on Sundays…” (Kayla-Tess Pattenden, Tenant at the Life Centre)
Venue Hire In Cape Town: A New Chapter for Kirstenhof and Beyond
CHS Life Centre is a three-pronged outlet where you can plug in: a hub, a harbour and a home. It is a hub that connects new potential, a harbour that celebrates gifts and equips its members and a home where people are cared for and accepted.
Our Hub: Events
Are you looking for a space to host your next event? Look no further. CHS is a strong supporter of local initiatives. One way we do this is to rent out our premises to the public. In doing so, we offer people the chance to use our fully equipped meeting rooms, training facilities and an auditorium that can adapt itself to a variety of functions. Whether your list extends to two hundred or to less than thirty, you won’t feel that it’s either cramped or overly spacious.
There’s free Wi-Fi, backup power and on-site parking as an ideal location for both formal and informal gatherings – all at an affordable price. Our vibrant and inclusive community café, The Table Café, offers delicious catering options with additional coffee and tea stations that will elevate any event to a truly memorable experience.
Previous hosts at the centre have introduced their initiatives through workshops on various topics such as finance, job training and mental health. We’ve also catered for community engagement projects, like art exhibitions, festivals and cultural celebrations.
Here at CHS Life Centre we pride ourselves in our exceptional staff who are regularly praised for their excellent logistical support, detailed follow-ups and clear-cut communications. We cherish each encounter because we really believe that our customers are more than visitors – many become close-knit friends.
“CHS Life Centre has become an integral extension of my life. I facilitate the Kirstenhof Community Business Network … The staff are amazing and make the event easy and stress free. It helps to bring the community together…” (Mark Bovim)
For the young ones, there are easy-access facilities available including a jungle gym. The indoor space is large enough to facilitate jumping castles and birthday parties for any age group. People can also use the modern setting and welcoming atmosphere for intimate moments like a wedding or a memorial. The staff are known to provide great care, sensitivity and support for each gathering with thoughtful extras that can go a long way.
“We held a memorial here for our mother-in-law. … The training space we used was clean, intimate enough for a service and a tea but flexible, … it could be adjusted for many different functions.” (Nanette Hendricks)
“Highly recommend. We just had our boy’s first birthday party at CHS Life Centre… From the get go they were extremely helpful… The space was perfect, everything was ready for us…” (Amy Haddon)
Our Harbour: Growth
Harbours provide shelter where ships can restock before setting out to sea again. At CHS Life Centre, we give local initiatives in the broader communities of Capricorn, Westlake and beyond, a platform to expand their projects and stock up on new ideas and new possibilities through relationship and community growth. The centre does this through Job Journey which is tailored to assist unemployed individuals to find jobs, and through partnerships with local educational organisations that host training workshops with topics such as leadership development and entrepreneurship. These workshops have done so much to give back to the community and empower individuals to run with their own initiatives and expand what they are really passionate about.
Blamdine from Minga Tailor uses the premises to run her own tailoring business, and just next door to her we have a mother and daughter duo running an ironing business for our local community. Another partner organisation uses the facilities for dance classes to celebrate local talent and use creative expression to heal and empower. We also have a resident gym owned by Johnny and Monique called In Training. So, if you’re looking to get fit and strong, pop in to visit them. The opportunities are endless!
Sometimes the growth needed has to do with restoring dignity back into broken lives. We have formed invaluable partnerships with tenants like The Connect Group and Life Matters Foundation who offer their services to support these groups of people, replenish their capacity and help to rebuild their self-confidence towards pursuing a purpose-filled life. The people who require such services are often unhoused neighbours who have lost all hope. We’ve chosen to partner with organisations like U-Turn, who have just taken over management of the Table Cafe. In the building, we provide practical assistance to our unhoused community through accommodation, a shower and a hot meal. Rea Thusana is also a valuable member of our community - restoring dignity and providing safety to women experiencing homelessness, gender-based violence and human trafficking.
We’re excited to witness how our combined efforts are making a difference through a holistic approach that meets the needs of South Africa’s most vulnerable communities by striving to help both socio-economically and emotionally.
“Indeed [CHS Life Centre is] a … place where families and friends are all welcomed even to such an extent that during [the] lockdown season up to end July or August, this Holy Spirit filled church adopted some beautiful ladies living on the streets to temporarily stay free of charge in the now converted sleeping rooms…” (Joshua Musonda Chongo)
Our Home: Community
The centre’s journey began with the founding of the Church of the Holy Spirit. With a mission to bridge divides and reconcile communities, CHS was deeply embedded in serving Cape Town’s marginalised neighbourhoods. As the congregation grew, our vision grew as well – to start a facility that would act as a transformative hub for the entire community, accessible seven days a week. This vision helped us to put action to our heartfelt desire to create a space where everyone can feel valued, heard and empowered to reach their God-given potential. The inhouse café literally derives its name from the centre’s central mission:
“We imagine a Table where all are welcome to feast in God’s presence.” (Brendon Fox, Church of the Holy Spirit Associate Rector)
CHS is much more than simply a building or a venue for hire. It is a place where strangers can bond and friendships are formed.
“... love this fellowship … outreach initiatives [are] done from the heart (e.g. I go to the Art Café which runs every Wednesday) … and a bi-weekly Huddle … on alternative Wednesdays…” (Peter Guess)
Join Our Table at CHS!
The CHS Life Centre relies on the contributions and involvement of the community. Whether you’re looking to volunteer your time, donate resources, or become a part of one of our programmes, there are countless ways for you to get involved.
Volunteer Opportunities: From helping out at the food market to assisting in wellness programmes, every volunteer is welcomed and can learn from hands-on involvement in the community’s needs.
Partnerships: If you're a business or nonprofit looking to collaborate, the CHS Life Centre welcomes partnerships that align with its vision for growth and community improvement.
Financial Contributions: Every donation, no matter the size, helps to support the centre’s mission of bringing transformation and hope to the community. You can also contribute to the Ubomi Charitable Trust that finances education programmes in schools, job readiness training and skills development initiatives to combat unemployment and disaster relief.
The CHS Life Centre has already become a cornerstone in the lives of many. As the Centre continues to grow, so too will its ability to impact the lives of people in Cape Town and beyond.
“We’ve only just begun. The Centre is here to serve the community in ways we could have never imagined. From health and wellness to spiritual and emotional support, we believe that the CHS Life Centre is poised to be a transformational force in the city for many years to come.” (Mark Slessenger)
Venue Hire In Cape Town: Find Out More
For more information or to schedule a visit, please contact the centre at mark@chscapetown.org or visit their website at www.chslifecentre.org.