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Lutheran Mission Church
Reddersburg district, Free State

Richard Carl George Theodor (Snr) WOCKE: Architect

Date:1845 : 1868-1869
Client:Berlin Missionary Society
Type:Lutheran Church
Status:Extant

 


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Coordinates:
29°36'23.31" S 25°57'39.05" E Alt: 1332m

Bethanien Mission Station.

The first church was a wattle-and-daub construction, but in 1845 the first face brick church was erected with great difficulty (The timber had to be brought from the Eastern Cape). In 1868 the corner stone of a new, enlarged church was laid. It was designed by the Bloemfontein master builder, Richard WOCKE, in the form of a Greek cross it was consecrated the next year. What makes the church important is that the original church building of 1845 is imbedded in the present structure, so that the church is thus a direct link with the pioneer years of the Free State and must be considered one of the oldest buildings in the province. (Schoeman 1985:15, 17)

(Lantern Jul 1984:50-58)

It is the old church that forms the transept of the structure. Nave and apse were built on. (Konrad Voges)


Books that reference Lutheran Mission Church

Schoeman, Karel. 1985. Boukunsskatte van die Vrystaat / Free State Heritage. Roodepoort: CUM Boeke vir Stigting NALM. pg 15, 17