MEYER, Phillipp Ludwig Heinrich

Missionary : Teacher : Carpenter

Early missionary of the Moravian Brethren in Hlubiland (Transkei). Born in Neuwied, Germany. Meyer, trained as a carpenter, wanted to study medicine in America, but returned to Germany and became a teacher. He was called to Genadendal in 1854 and was sent to restore the mission stations Shiloh and Goshen after the Eighth Frontier War. He learnt Xhosa and collaborated in the preparation of a revised translation of the Bible and a hymn-book. In 1869 he accepted an invitation from the Hlubi chief, Zibi, and after many disappointments and the gravest danger, established a mission station at Emtumasi. In spite of tribal wars and a scarcity of food he built roads (Meyer's Pass) and preached the gospel throughout Hlubiland. In 1875, at the invitation of Chief Ludidi, he established a mission station at Elukolweni. In 1876, suffering from a serious illness, he returned to Marburg, Germany, hoping to be cured, where he died.

List of projects

With photographs
With notes

Moravian Mission Church: 1854. Goshen, Eastern Cape - Designer Rebuild

Moravian Mission Station at Elukholweni: 1875. Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Eastern Cape - Designer Mission founder

Moravian Mission Station at Emtumasi: c.1869. Mount Fletcher, Eastern Cape - Designer Missionary Founder

Shiloh Moravian Mission Station: 1828. Whittlesea, Eastern Cape - Designer (Rebuild)