Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Mission Church Goedverwacht, Western Cape Johann Carl Ernst SEELIGER: Architect

Date: 1896 Type: Church Status: Extant   Click to view map Coordinates: 32°51'53.12" S 18°42'01.22" E Alt: 158m

A sturdy simple rectangular church of coursed sandstone ashlar built on an elevated platform raised behind a random rubble retaining wall giving it an imposing status in the townscape. Simple windows and openings have whitewashed plaster surrounds and the interior is in the stripped asceticism characteristic of the Moravian tradition. A bell tower was initially planned for but not built and instead there is a freestanding bell. The inscription reads: ERE GOD IN DE HOER HEMELEN The reverse is marked in a cartouche FRANZ SCHILLING i.Firm. CARL FRIEDR. ULRICH goss mich im APOLDAiThur.-ALLENSTEIN:PRUS This attests to the bell coming from the renowned centre of German (then Prussian) bell foundries in Apolda of the equally renowned family of Franz SCHILLING, possibly using the bronze of cannons as was practice of the day. The bell is capped with a garland of alternating bunches of grapes and vine leaves. Books and articles that reference Mission Church Fransen, Hans. 2004. The old buildings of the Cape. A survey of extant architecture from before c1910 in the area of Cape Town - Calvinia - Colesberg - Uitenhage. Johannesburg & Cape Town: Jonathan Ball Publishers. pg 347-348