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Martin Melck House (Old Lutheran Parsonage)
Cape Town, Western Cape
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| Martin Melck House (Old Lutheran Parsonage) | | ||||||
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Click to view map Coordinates: | Proclaimed a National Monument in 1936, devolved to a Cape Provincial Heritage Resource in 1999. This is one of a unique group of eighteenth century buildings, the others being Lutheran Church and Sexton's House which stand in Strand Street, higher up and across the street from Koopmans de Wet House. They owe their attraction to the fact that these buildings were designed as an architectural entity to meet the needs of the Lutheran Church. They are also of outstanding historical importance because they symbolise the long drawn-out struggle of the Lutherans for the right to practise their religion. Martin Melck House is the only surviving example of an 18th century townhouse complete with a dakkamer, its roof-top windows once looked out to the sea. The house remained in use as a parsonage until 1891, after which it had a checkered career. For many years it was a boarding house, but today, beautifully restored, its ample rooms display the wares of an interior decorating firm. The old house has been little altered, and within the U-shaped plan is a secluded walled garden, peaceful save for the chiming of the church clock. Lady Florence Phillips was instrumental in having the building restored. Now (2012) accommodates the Gold of Africa Museum. 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. Writings about this entry
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