Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		De Wicht Zaal - Wicht Memorial Hall Cape Town, Western Cape George Murray ALEXANDER: Architect

Date: 1889/1890 Type: Church Hall Status: Demolished 1985   Click to view map Coordinates: 33°55'27.72" S 18°24'56.41" E Alt: 32m

De Wicht Zaal (The Wicht Hall) of the Nieuwe Kerk (NG community Tamboerskloof) was in later years the Alabama Cinema, but was demolished in 1985 because the funds necessary for renovations could not be found. The community sold it in 1946 for £13 300 to the Nasionale Pers who used it as a store. According to the cornerstone it was built in 1889/1890. In earlier years it was used as a Sunday school church and cultural gatherings. A member of the Nieuwe Kerk community, Mrs. Elizabeth Johanna Wicht, made the funds available for the building. (Translated from Morné van Rooyen) When Rennie inspected it in 1977, it was the Alabama Cinema. Single storey, Victorian with parapet, cornice and entrance pediment (extensively modified during a replastering). Granite steps, encaustic tiled threshold, hipped bituminous felt covered roof. (Possibly the work of architect G. M. Alexander) (Rennie 1978:182) (The Argus 16 Jun 1984:8; Pryce-Lewis list item 2 304) All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. Books that reference De Wicht Zaal - Wicht Memorial Hall Rennie, John for CPIA. 1978. The Buildings of Central Cape Town 1978. Volume Two : Catalogue. Cape Town: Cape Provincial Institute of Architects. pg 182 item 63.28