The gracious manor house, which houses a private chapel and large study, designed by the renowned Cape Town firm architects of architects Baker and Kendall, architects Franklin Kay Kendall and Herbert Baker, is in a mint condition.
To celebrate the centenary of this prominent building, a commemorative exhibition was organised by Fr Oriel Alby, who also compiled a pamphlet featuring beautiful drawings by Rodney Grosskopff and a list of the eight bishops who resided there including Bishop Henry and Mrs Sidwell who were the first to take up residence.
The incumbent Bishop Brian Marajh, who took up residence three years ago with his wife Lynn, daughter Melony and son Craig, find it a tranquil place and a true home even though it is situated a few steps from the bust-ling town centre in York Street adjacent to the MediClinic and set in an expansive garden filled with clivias. Bishop Marajh served in Mossel Bay and Mauritius before being invested on 7 May 2010 in the St Marks Cathedral. The house features Queen Ann chimneys with small-paned arts and craft cottage features and is considered to have colonial Dutch and English manor house elements in its architecture. One of Bishop Marajh's favourite places is the library, which is filled with a collection of his books.
The rectory, situated in York Street opposite St Mark's Cathedral, was demolished to make way for the new Bishop's House. The property was bought from the parish of George for £1 000. There have been no major changes to the building other than the adding of a double garage. The provision of electricity, which came to George in 1926 for use in the house, is very much in the style of the period.
The study cum library of Bishop's Lea is where Bishop Brian Marajh spends many hours.
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