Rhenish Mission Church
668
Address
The Braak
Date Built
1823; front wing 1840
Suggested Grading
II
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."
Details
Style
Cape Dutch
Architectural Period
Cape Dutch
Type Of Building
Religious
Architect / Builder
Current Use
Church
Original Use
General Evaluation
Outstanding
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
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Additional Information
Additional Documents
Survey
2012
Circa
1900 - 1909
Admin Area
Stellenbosch
Allotment
Stellenbosch
Zoning
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Date of survey
November 2009
Linked to erf/erven
669
Linked Address
Environment
Part of historic Braak precinct.
2012 Survey Document
2012 survey document not available
OTHER DOCUMENTS
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NHRA Significance
Historical
Very Significant
Rarity
Significant
Aestetical
Very Significant
Technological
Unassessed
Cultural
Very Significant
Social History
Very Significant
Slave History
Very Significant
* SCALE USED: Very Significant / Significant / Some Significance / No Significance / Not Assessed
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NHRA Protection
Sect 27.2 Is the building/site a Provinical Heritage Site?
unassessed
Sect 27.3 Is the building/site a Previous National Monument?
Sect 28 Will any dev affect the prot or views of or from a Gr 1 or Gr 2 site?
Sect 34 Is the building/structure older than 60 years?
no
Sect 35 Is the site a declared archeological/palaeontological site?
Sect 36 Does the site contain any graves or is it a burial ground?
Sect 37 Does the site contain any public monuments or memorials?
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Additional Photos
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