Rhenish Mission Church
Erf 668
Address
The Braak
Date built
1823; front wing 1840
Use
Church
Style
Cape Dutch
Architectual period
Cape Dutch
Type of building
Religious
General evaluation
Outstanding
Suggested grading
II
Present NHRA protection
Previous "National monument (1963, and pulpit 1948)"
Zoning
Date of survey
November 2009
Reference no.
13.04
Description
"Thatched church in the shape of an incomplete T. The earlier part parallel to the Braak has pedimented gables with pilasters and straight sloping sides, and rusticated corner pilasters. The gable of the front wing has a winged pediment, curly sides, fluted pilasters and vases. The 3x3 door has a half-round small pane fanlight and a pilastered surround. 15x15 casements with arched small pane fanlights and simple plaster surrounds.Wrought iron fence with capped posts; double-arched bell-tower with fluted pilasters and ""ball"" vases."
History
"""Het Stellenbosche Meedewerkende Zendelings Genootschap"" was formed in 1801 with MJ Bakker as the first missionary. In 1822 he was replaced by Erasmus Smit and the land on the Braak was acquired from the Stellenbosch Turf Club. The original small rectangular church was completed in 1823 and inaugurated the following year, the opening sermon delivered by Rev Meent Borcherds of the DR Church. The congregation was transferred to the Rhenish Mission Society in 1829 with Rev D Luckoff as its first minister. As the church became too small, in 1839 the gallery was added and the vestry incorporated into the church. The front wing was added in 1840 and inaugurated by Rev TJ Herold. The bell-tower, built c1920, was designed by the Town Clerk W Blerch. (Oberholster and Fransen & Cook)"
Alterations
See History. At the time of first publication of Fransen & Cook (1965) the church had a corrugated iron roof.
Social History
Significance in terms of NHRA
Significant
Significance
Significance
Assessed







Circa
1900 - 1909
Admin area
Stellenbosch
Allotment
Stellenbosch
Linked to erf/erven
669
Linked address
NHRA protection
Previous "National monument (1963, and pulpit 1948)"
Environment
Part of historic Braak precinct.