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Wesleyan Methodist Church
Langa, Western Cape
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Click to view map Coordinates: | (SAB Aug 1932:27) The establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Langa is first mentioned in a letter dated 17 December 1926 by the Reverend Peter F Williams, the Wesleyan parson of Woodstock, in his capacity as secretary of the Cape Peninsula Church Council (CPCC) (3CT - 4/1/5/1247 – N51/5 (a)). In response to the demolition of churches in Ndabeni, Rev. Williams requested that a deputation of the CPCC, which 'represents practically all the churches of the city', make a representation to the City Council's Building Committee in order to discuss the possibility of receiving compensation for the compulsory closure and relocation of the existing churches in Ndabeni and the construction of new buildings in Langa. (This somewhat contradicts the view that the 'European' churches could easily obtain funds, as later asserted by Rev. Matshiqi from the AME church). A deputation of the CPCC was eventually invited to a meeting of the Native Advisory Board in March 1927, although no record of their input is captured in the minutes (3CT - 4/1/5/1247 – N51/5 (b)). A subsequent request for information to the Town Councils of Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth confirmed that compensation for the relocation of churches was generally not paid but was decided on based on the merits of each case (3CT - 4/1/5/1247 – N51/5 (c)). The final response from the Town Clerk to Rev. Williams on 20 April 1927 stated that the Native Affairs Committee was 'unable to recommend that any steps be taken in this matter' (3CT - 4/1/5/1247 – N51/5 (a)). Plans for the proposed Wesleyan Methodist Church in Langa were submitted during December 1926 although there is no record of a lease being in place at that time (Cape Archives: 3/CT – 4/2/1/3/269 – B1970)4. The lease for the Wesleyan church site was concluded on 30 April 1929, one of the earliest in Langa (3CT – 4/1/5/1271 - N244/5 (a)).The building plans were drawn up by William Black & Fagg Architects, a local firm with offices in central Cape Town. It was circulated to the chief officer of the fire brigade and the medical officer of health and placed before the Native Affairs Committee for approval; no objections were raised in this process. Unfortunately records do not exist of this original plan nor is it clear when final approval was obtained. Further communication from the architects indicates detail of proposed drainage as the site was not yet served by an intercepting sewer at that stage. It would appear that this was the only required amendment and that the plans were generally supported (3/CT – 4/2/1/3/284 – B446).The building plans were approved on 24 January 1927 but not immediately acted upon and a request for amendment was submitted by the architects two years later (3/CT – 4/2/1/3/373 – B728(a)). It was intimated that 'owing to the position of matters', only the vestries, without internal partition, would be erected at that stage and that revised plans would be submitted as the previous scheme had lapsed after a period of twelve months. Other than this notification, the request chiefly sought approval for two wood and iron earth closets as a temporary measure until such time as permanent brick water closets could be installed upon completion of the building or when the sewer drainage was laid. This was considered by the Health And Building Regulations Committee who recommended it for approval; the final decision however rested with the Native Affairs Committee and the proposal was turned down with the instruction that drainage must be provided in accordance with the sewerage scheme for the township (3/CT – 4/2/1/3/373 – B728(b)). It is not clear what caused the delay, but it was only by 1932 that construction commenced after the submission of yet another set of plans (3CT – 4/2/1/3/519 – B592(a)). The Council's response to the revised plans included very specific concerns for example that aisles of the church had to be at least 3 feet 5 inches wide; that exits had to be at least 5 feet 10 inches in width and that rain water disposal had to be indicated. During May of that year plans were also submitted for a small manse to be added to the church and from the architect's letter it would appear that construction was underway at that time (3CT – 4/2/1/3/519 – B592(b)). This proposal was agreed to by the Native Affairs Committee as a lease was in place. It would appear that the manse had been completed by 1937 as a request was made at that time for a small wood and iron shed to be added to the back of the parsonage (3CT - 4/1/9/1/91 – GN9/18/2/24/3 (a)). This was apparently necessary to accommodate the Minister's family as the manse was not big enough. The request was however not approved (3CT - 4/1/9/1/91 – GN9/18/2/24/3 (b)). The church's lease was later amended to allow for a building to house the Methodist Mission School (3CT – 4/2/1/1/202 – S84). During July 1935 plans for the proposed school were submitted to Council by Black & Fagg (3CT – 4/2/1/3/707 – B1952). No departmental objections were received. Plans for additional classrooms to the school were submitted and approved in 1946 (3CT – 4/2/1/1395 – B1724). By 1948 work was also underway to add a new kitchen and store to the school. Plans to extend the church were submitted in April 1948. This work was completed by the end of 1948. Lerotholi Avenue was still referred to as Station Road at this time. By July 1952, plans were approved for a garage, tool shed, kitchen and storeroom on the church site, in what was now known as Lerotholi Avenue (3CT – 4/2/1/3/2346 – B783). This presumably encompassed the previous proposals for additions which had not yet been constructed. A commemorative brass plate engraved in a Roman font is mounted on the west facade of the church and records the following information: THESE BUILDINGS WERE ERECTED BY THE Text extracted from: O'Donoghue, Bridget HERITAGE STATEMENT - PROPOSED ALTERATION AND ADDITIONS, LANGA METHODIST CHURCH, ERF 55, No. 30 LEROYHOLI AVENUE LANGA, 02 JULY 2019 referencing Irrgang, B: Township churches as heritage: The case of Langa, Cape Town Dissertation presented as part fulfillment of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Conservation of the Built Environment In the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics University of Cape Town January 2015 (William Martinson, September 2024) 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. |