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Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk
Philippolis, Free State
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Click to view large map Coordinates: | In 1862, the Dutch Reformed congregation of Philippolis was established. The old Griqua church was purchased from the Griquas and put into use. In 1863, Rev. Colin Fraser arrived as the first minister of the Philippolis congregation. For seven years, he preached the Word in the simple old Griqua church. It was then demolished, and on 8 May 1869, the cornerstone for the new church was laid on the same site. It was only consecrated on 24 February 1871. The pulpit was made by ET Smith. "The 'bouwmeester', Mr. Hawkins, has acquitted himself of his difficult task in an honorable and praiseworthy manner. The old building was expanded by the addition of wings with galleries. The old part was brought into harmony with the new by being replastered, whitewashed, and painted. The old, short, blunt tower was heightened with a beautiful spire of, we estimate, 20 feet (±6 meters)." (English translation from De Fakkel, October 10, 1895.) In March 1900, Philippolis was occupied by British troops. The homes of civilians and the parsonage were burned down. The church building was converted into a fort, with sandbags packed into the tower's windows. The church was damaged during the war. The fencing was trampled, the organ was irreparably damaged, and the wooden decorations on the pulpit were broken off. After the war, the old building was restored both inside and out. (Source: Afrikanergeskiedenis). References:
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