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Het Gesticht
Paarl, Western Cape

Date:1814
Type:Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk - Church
Status:Extant
Street:112 Main Street

 


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Coordinates:
33°44'54.13" S 18°57'42.53" E Alt: 132m

This former DR Mission Church, called 'Gesticht' (institute) was transferred to the 'Paarlsche Medewerkende Zendelings Genootschap', and became known as Zionshuis. It soon became too small and the new Zion Church was built but it remained in use. (Fransen 2004:261)

“This charming little church was built in 1813 as a school, church and meeting house for the slaves by people of Paarl who supported the missionary societies. It was handed over to the Paarl Missionary society in 1817 and remained in use until the larger Zion church was built in 1841. It has classical influences with some Gothic Revival elements in the pointed windows and the finely latticed arched and moulded fanlight above the eight-pannelled teak door. The neo-classical bell-tower dates from the mid 19th Century. There was a trend in England in the 19th Century to use the Gothic Revival style for religious buildings and many 19th Century churches in the Cape reflect a simple country version of this style.” (A Walking Tour of the Historical Heart of Paarl)


Books that reference Het Gesticht

Fransen, Hans. 2004. The old buildings of the Cape. A survey of extant architecture from before c1910 in the area of Cape Town - Calvinia - Colesberg - Uitenhage. Johannesburg & Cape Town: Jonathan Ball Publishers. pg 261
Raymond, Cathy . n.d.. A Walking Tour of the Historical Heart of Paarl. Paarl: Drakenstein Heritage Foundation. pg