He took residence in two poor rooms near to the wooden church that already existed. Father Peron O.M.I., was coming to Heidelberg, more or less once a month to say Mass.  At the end of 1932 some brothers from Swaziland went to Heidelberg to build the house there.

Father A. Botta designed the house and it was started in 1933 and built by the Swaziland Brothers: Br. Mastino, Br. Roberton, Br. Julio Moretti and Br. Vittaro Serpi. They had not much food. Father Miglionni, from Swaziland, came to Heidelberg with potatoes, rice, etc.  

In 1933 Father Galandi was in Heidelberg too, learning the local languages. Then later went to Evaton, near Vereening, to help the mission. He went back to Swaziland before Fr. Botta.  The house in Heidelberg was officially opened by Bishop D O’Leary, on the 16th September1934 and also present was the Apostolic Prefect of Swaziland, Msgr. Miglionni.  Meanwhile Nigel was growing fast because of the Gold Mines and the Dominican Sisters opened a Convent with a school for the whites in Nigel in 1934.  There was a lot of work in Heidelberg, and Swaziland sent another Father to Heidelberg:  Father C. Wiser. Heidelberg and Nigel were growing fast and needed help.  

The Apostolic Prefect of Swaziland, Mngr. Miglionni, told the Father General, Very Rev. R Baldwin about these difficulties. Father General offered Transvaal Missionaries from the Venetian Province. who accepted, which helped. The Venetian Province sent the first missionaries to Transvaal. Fr. Patrick Nolan, Br. Gionanni Campaynelo and Br. Emilio Giacomonni (Fr. Nolan always was surprising:  The Provincial Fr. A. Benetti came to me telling, “I have a special work for you, make yourself ready, and go to the Transvaal.” Just like that.  (I was the only one to know English in the Province).  They came by sea and on the boat “D---lio”, on the 25th of April 1935, they were already in Heidelbeg and received by Mngs. Miglionni who gave them the juridical transfer of the Heidelberg district to the Venetian Province.  Swaziland refused compensation for the expenditure of the house in Heidelberg, for the work and sacrifices done.  It was like an act of gratitude toward the Venetian Province, helping Swaziland especially with some Servites.  When our first Venetian Missionaries came to Transvaal they found already existing: 

1) The Church Hall in the Heidelberg old location. (Ou Skom)
2) Wooden church in town
3) House in Heidelberg.

Fr. P Nolan became Vicar Provincial and after his arrival here he was in Heidelberg for few days, then he left for Nigel and he stayed at the Dominican Convent’s special quarters, taking care of the Sisters and  the white population in Nigel.  The two Brothers Compagnolo and Giacomoton remained in Heidelberg with Fr. Botta; building projects were waiting for them, meanwhile they were finishing up the house there. Other two missionaries Fr. Norbert Signori and Frances Trevisol.  They landed in Durban the 9th September 1935, and two days later they were already in Heidelberg.  Fr. Botta was still in Heidelberg and remained there until the 18th of June 1936, afterwards he left for Swaziland.  

Fr. Francis Trevisol went to stay at a small house at the Nigel Convent together with Fr Nolan, and he took care of the natives in the district. Fr. Norbert Signori remained in Heidelberg.  On the night of 30th March 1936, a big fire destroyed the wooden church in Heidelberg; in a few minutes the church was in ashes.  Nothing was left, not even the Blessed Sacrament.  The Sacristy was also the workshop for the Brothers; something dangerous started the fire. Perhaps a lit candle or lit oil for the Blessed Sacrament was put in the wrong place and so the fire started.  

Later Fr. Giulion Zius arrived in Durban on the 9th September 1936.  Meanwhile a fund was made to compensate the burned church of Heidelberg. A total of 2 000 Rand was received.  One thousand and two hundred went to Nigel town to build the church there; eight hundred Rand remained in Heidelberg town to re-build a church.  More money went to Nigel, because Fr. P Nolan was in Nigel, wanted to build and he was the Vicar Provincial.  Another small church was built straight away in Heidelberg.  

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It was built by the two Brothers; Compagnolo and Giacomorin, Fr. Norbert Signori was superior and helped in building with Fr. G Zius, (they had not much cement, nor money for that, and so they put old motor-car oil to use for the plaster for the outside church, now no paint can stay on). They were also taking stones, and sand, what they could get from the river nearby at night, not to be seen by people, authorities, etc., etc., and perhaps the kloof.  Fr. Francis Trevisol always repeating, before putting the roof of the church in Heidelberg, “I was on top of the walls and they were swinging like the “Tower of Pisa”. We put lateral pillars for reinforcement.  At this time Fr. Ferdinando Malva and Joseph Bello arrived in Durban on exactly the 29th September 1937 and the next day they were in Heidelberg.  

At this time only Fr. Nolan was mastering the English language, (being an Irishman), There was a necessity to have another Father knowing the English language here.  So came out the idea (of Fr. P Nolan) to contact Swaziland and to make an exchange of two Fathers, one from here to go to Swaziland and from there, knowing English to come here.  The majority of our Fathers (all) refused to go to Swaziland, Fr. Joseph Bello accepted and went to Swaziland in November 1937, and Fr Michael Ramsay, of the English province and working in Swaziland, came here around November-December 1937 and was stationed in Heidelberg.

HEIDELBERG
During Fr.Peron monthly visits to Heidelberg a wooden church was built by the Diocese.  The date could be in the Diocesan archives unless they are also destroyed by fire.  Later on, during Fr. Peron’s visits, a small hall, used as a church was built at the old location.  The reason:  Natives could not come to town worshipping in the white church.  The Diocese also built this church. (We do not know when).  Next to the church, (before Swaziland Servites were there), and opposite the road, there was a small Convent with some white Sisters, no trace of how they went there and how long they stayed there.  There was no residential Priest, so they left (. (Some say: their church was burned down by the same Sisters).  

Fr. Norbert Signori was the Superior here in Heidelberg from 1936, when Fr Botta left, until the 15th of July 1947, when the church in Heidelberg was completed.  Fr N Signori was thinking about some schools in Heidelberg and in the district.  At the old location he made an addition of two new class-rooms with the help of the two Brothers, G Campagnolo and E. Giacomoni.  Brother Giovanni Campagnolo was also helping Luigi Cestallani, a building contractor, in building the house in Nigel town, going up and down from Heidelberg.  Fr. N Signori was going up and down to fetch him.  These two class-rooms were started in October 1937 and opened by Bishop O’Leary the 15th of March 1938.  Fr. Norbert Signori wrote to the Society of St Peter Claver in Rome for some help and he got something for these class-rooms.

Fr. P Nolan and Francis Trevisol were against to spend such money to the unnecessary school.  Fr. Norbert got an old car, but not much cash (paying teachers and projects for other schools); very hard for him to keep these the two Brothers in Heidelberg and working also in Nigel at the same time.  Around this time, just before the second world war, the Venetian Province was ready to send more personnel to Transvaal, but some Fathers (P Nolan, F Trevisol) were against this. The usual excuse: no room, not much work, not much cash, everyone for himself..  The first missionaries came here for the Natives, but there was a tendency to work for the whites (more easy and more cash).  This was a tendency coming from Fr P Nolan and F Trevisol.  

Fr. N Signori, looking at the big district of Heidelberg, built a farm school at Nunnery Hill, outside Balfour in 1942 and another one at Kraal, outside Heidelberg on Balfour Road which opened on the 9th October 1944 (these schools were still functioning in 1974).  At the beginning, it was very difficult to keep these schools going, to find the cash and to pay the teacher. They needed sacrifice and good will.  Heidelberg school, plus Nunnery Hill and Kraal Farm schools, were a big burden for Fr. N Signori; who built them and kept them going.  To tell the truth, Fr N Signori, as he said, built these schools without permission, without consulting the others, he knew that they would refuse.  Fr. P Nolan and F Trevisol wanted to close them down for lack of funds.

SERVITE NATIVE SISTERS
We must make an addition about the Servite Native Sisters. Two native Sisters are from Heidelberg:  Sr. Baoufilia Mtshali, who entered in 1937, Sr. Eilleen Tsoko, who entered in 1938.  Two came from Meyerton, two sisters of the same family:  Sr. Vincentia Sekoa entering in 1962; Sr. Claudina Sekoa in 1967.  Two came also from Nigel Mission:  Sr. Bonaventuro Moali entering in February 1963; Sr. Ave Mpahane, sister of Fr. Lino, in March 1965.  All these sisters went to Swaziland, where our Servite Sisters are working in the Missions.  Here in Transvaal we have no houses for the Servite Sisters, or formation’s homes, in our Missions; something not so good.
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AVE MARIA
The 1st Father took up his residence at Heidelberg on April, 1st, 1932, (was it Father A M Botta?)  He was the 1st Apostolic Priest to take up residence there.  He accommodated himself in a couple of rooms next to the old church.  (Heidelberg was previously served from Kerk Street and La Rochelle Johannesburg, approximately once a month).
A year later buildings operations were started and a fairly big house built up by the Servite Brothers, Br. Giulio M Moretti and Br. Vittorio M Serpi, both O.S.M. of Swaziland.  This house was meant as a “Rest House” for the Swaziland staff.  A reliable source says: “Being near Johannesburg it affords the Farther in charge an opportunity of watching the market, and therefore gives him an opportunity of obtaining necessaries at greatly reduced prices for our missions in Swaziland.”   
In addition to the small European community the Father sought to care also for the natives, for whom the Vicar Apostolic put up a church school in the location, (opposite “Bastion’s Garage” on the Durban Road) in 1931.

The Heidelberg District in those days included Nigel, Balfour, Greylingstad and Grootvlei. (Today Nigel and Balfour and independent), and the whole Catholic population was 200 Europeans and 300 Natives.
On Sept 16th 1934 a large number of missionaries, laity and non-Catholic friends witnessed the official opening of the new Servite House at Heidelberg.  His Lordship, Bishop D O’Leary celebrated Pontifical High Mass, preaching to a congregation of over 200 Europeans.  He referred to the VII Centenary of the Servite Order (1233-1933).  The Germiston Choir rendered the music after the Mass.  The ladies of the Parish provided the refreshments to the large gathering.  

Monsignor R Migliorini was then Prefect Apostolic and Religious Superior of Swaziland.
As far as we can gather Swaziland has always been understaffed.  So the outlet and big “Rest House” n the Highveld soon became a problem.  Nigel was growing like a mushroom and the catholic population was growing accordingly.  The Dominican Sisters of King Williamstown opened a Convent there in 1934.  It was impossible for one Priest to attend to all the needs.  Swaziland made an effort to spare Father C Wiser for some time, but could not do so indefinitely.  Hence Msgr. Miglionni approached the then General of the Order, The Most Ref. L R Baldwin, who, in his ……… offered Heidelberg and Nigel to the Venetian Province.  The offer was accepted, and early in April 1935 Fr. P Nolan sailed from Genoa on the “Duilio” with two lay Brothers, John Campagnolo and Emile Giacomonni. *

On April 25th, we find them at Heidelberg, received by Msgr. Miglionni, who formally hands over Heidelberg and dependencies to the Venetian Province, here represented by Fr. Nolan in his capacity of Vicar Provincial.  Msgr. Miglionni hands of the house Heidelberg “free of compensation” as a token of gratitude for what the Venetian Province did for Swaziland.
A few days later (I am not given the actual date) Fr. Nolan took up residence at Nigel in the Dominican Convent, whose chapel was then serving as Parish Church.  The two Brothers remained at Heidelberg with Fr.

A Botta.
On August 20th 1955 another two Fathers sailed from Genoa for South Africa on the “Emilio Cesare”.  They were Fr. Signori and Fr. Trevisol.  On September 9th, they were met in Durban by Frs. Nolan and Botta.  On September, 11th, they took off for the Transvaal at about 8 am, by car.  They reached Heidelberg somewhere around 12 pm, the same day.  The following morning was very dull and somewhat cold.  Fr. Nolan took Fr. Francis to Nigel where he was to remain to care for the Natives.  Fr. Signori was assigned to Heidelberg with

Fr. Botta.
The Fathers at Nigel were then accommodated in a couple of rooms in the back yard of the Convent.  It was not till the beginning of November, 1955, that they were given a little cottage next to the schools in Commissioner Street.
Father John Zius arrived in Durban on the “Ouilio” in September 1936.  He was met by Fathers Nolan and Francis.  On Thursday evening (11th), Frs. Zius and Francis left Durban by train.  It was impossible to come back by car, owing to a fairly heave fall of snow.  The arrived at Nigel the following day at about 4:30 pm.  Fr. Nolan came back a week later.  Fr. Zius was eventually stationed at Heidelberg.
On the night of March 30th, 1936 a mysterious fire broke out in the old church of Heidelberg.  In a matter of a few hours it was completely destroyed.  Nothing could be done and nothing could be saved.  A temporary chapel was then set up in the house, and precisely in the actual combined office and bed areas of the Parish Priest.  The old church was insured for R900.  Portion of this amount enabled the Brothers to build a new church in [1937?].  Fr A G Botta was recalled to Swaziland on June 18, 1936.

HEIDELBERG
The Foundation stone of the new church was lain on Tuesday, March 7th, 1937 at 3 pm by His Lordship the Rt. Rev. Bishop D O’Leary O.M.I., in the presence of a good gathering of the catholic people from Heidelberg and Nigel.  After the ceremony His Lordship addressed the assembly, stressing the importance of helping generously towards the building of the new church.  After that light refreshment was served in the Grand Hotel.
The new church was officially opened and blessed by the Vicar Apostolic of the Transvaal, His Lordship Bishop D O’Leary, O.M.I., on September, 5th 1937.  The turn up of the European community was very good.  There was Pontifical High Mass, Fr. Zius was Deacon.  Fr. L J…. Sub-Deacon, and Fr. Francis Master of Ceremonies.  The altar boys were supplied by the Nigel Convent.  Fr. Nolan preached an inspiring sermon.  After the ceremony tea was served by the Catholic ladies in the Presbytery.  His Lordship was not too well, so he left at once.  The few Fathers had a bite in a private room in the Grand Hotel at about 1 pm.
This church was later presented with a lovely bell by Josepth Kalil, cast by Colbaskini of Bassano, Italy; and a replica of our Lady of Grace in Noline, a gift of the people of “Friuli” (Italy).  This beautiful picture was installed on April, 9th, 1939.

To improve the spirit of the parish a mission was given by Rev. Father Lawrence of the Redemptorists Fathers in Pretoria from Sunday Nov. 27th to Sunday Dec. 4th, 1938, but the result was not so hot.
New comers were the Rev. Fathers Ferdinand Malva and Joseph Bello who disembarked at Durban on September, 29th, 1937.  They were met by Father Nolan who took them to Heidelberg the following day by motor car.  The rest of the Fathers gathered together at Heidelberg to welcome them, they suppered together.  Father Bello did not stay here very long.  Towards the end of October or at the beginning of November he was sent to Swaziland in exchange with Father M Ramsay.  When Fr. Ramsay came up here he was stationed at Heidelberg.  Early in 1938 he went overseer to England for six months leave.

On October 17th, 1937, the Rev Father G Zius and Francis were sent to Basutoland to learn Sesotho.  Fr Malva replaced Fr. Francis at Nigel in the native work.
Christ the King, The Feast of Christ, t king’s delighted by the ……. Eucharistic Procession at Monte Berico Mission.  Rev. Father Malva carries the Blessed Sacrament.
Jan 13th, 1940.  Rev Father Malva takes up residence at Heidelberg.
At Heidelberg, Rev. Father Signori started the Society of the Seven Dolours for native women on July 2nd 1939.

2nd WORLD WAR
June 10th 1940, a particularly sad day for everybody. Italy joins the war on the German side.  Fathers Malva, Fransic and Bro John are arrested almost immediately and taken in to custody at the Nigel Police Station.  The following morning (June 11th) they are moved to “Marshal Square”, Johannesburg, with many others. 
After a lengthy interrogation, Bro. John is sent to a concentration camp at Leeuwkop the same evening, whilst Francis and Malva are locked up behind iron bars for the night.  The following morning they are also sent to Leeuwkop.  

On June the 14th they are visited by Fr. Nolan, they are not allowed to say Mass. 
On June, 24th, all the Italians (and so to our two Fathers and Brother) are transported to Koffiefontein in the O.F.S.  The have to put up with particularly tough conditions.  But the Quarter Master, Mr De Beer, is very king to the,, giving them a little room to be used as a chapel and every possible facility to say daily Mass.
Fathers Zius and Signori are arrested a little later.  They only reach Koffiefontein on June, 26th.  Bro Emile Giacomonni arrives the following day.  On July 4th, Fr. Signori take ill.  He is removed to the camp hospital on July 5th, a few days later he recovers.

People are working outside for the Fathers and Bros release.  The have to make an application themselves from the inside.  On August 30th, Fr. Signori is released.  There is great hope for everybody.  Fr. Francis is released on October, 26th, Fr. Zius on Nov, 10th, the two Bros at the beginning of December, Fr. Malva sometime in Jan, 1941.

Source: CHRONICLES by Fr Charles Turat O.S.M. – Written after careful study and questioning many times the old Servites here.  September 1974.
Note by Tony Burisch: Thanks must go to Sharon Viljoen nee Cochrane for deciphering the Chronicles from the original cursive written by Father Charles Tutat O.S.M. in 1974. The Father who must of been Italian, was not using the English tenses correctly.

​Source: Heidelberg Heritage Association - Article Post (Click to visit website)