This is a beautiful historic church. Unfortunately, my visit was marred by The RUDEST Person I encountered in Tanzania!

When I arrived at the church, there were a couple of prayer circles going on. I was brought up in the church and know my way around them, so I quietly passed the groups of women, quietly headed to the back of the church, out of most peoples line of sight and stood there to pray (post covid, I keep my contact of surfaces in public areas minimal). I was dressed in a long sleeved loose flowing knee length tunic and loose pants - so its not like I was skimpily dressed.

None of the women in the circles gave me a second look. I'd just started to pray at the back of the church - away from the groups congregated at the front and suddenly an officious looking lady bustled up to me and started berating me loudly for disturbing the groups that were praying. I quietly told her that I just wanted to pray and she started ranting louder. She shouted that I was a distraction to the women who were trying to focus, when she was the one creating the scene.

I did not want to subject myself to such negativity and I just left. The female ushers at the door looked extremely embarrassed at this lady's behavior and gave me rueful half smiles.

I've no idea what upset the woman, but I've never been screamed at in such a manner and definitely not in a House of God. This was a terrible interaction and left me feeling horridly upset.

Fortunately, visiting the St Joseph's Church further down the road more than made up for it, the nuns were so serene and welcoming and being able to pray in quiet contemplation there, helped restore my equilibrium.