Nederduitsche Hervormde Kerk - Heidelberg (Gauteng)

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Built: 1932

Architect: Gerard Moerdyk¹

Building contractor: Leggat en Leemhuis¹

View from south. Image source: Die Hervormer, Aug 1965.

View from south-west. Note the sandstone and granite gedenkteken on the left (unveiled 1965). Source: NHK Heidelberg on FB

View from east. Source: NHK Heidelberg on FB

Suikerbosrand became a wyk (ward) of the Potchefstroom NH congregation from 1853. In 1864 the local members petitioned the Pretoria church council for their own church building.

It was one of the early independent Transvaal churches, with baptisms recorded from as early as 1865. It originally built the Kruiskerk (a cruciform church) in 1865 on the same town square where the later Klipkerk now stands. This was a separate NH congregation, distinct from the Nederduitse Gereformeerde (NG) congregation that had also formed around the same time.

The first minister was Ds. Van Warmelo.

In 1885 the two congregations (NH and NG) negotiated a union and formed the “United Church” (Nederduitsch Hervormde of Gereformeerde Kerk). The impressive Klipkerk was constructed by this united body: its cornerstone was laid on 12 April 1890 by Commandant-General Piet Joubert and the church was inaugurated on 13 March 1891. However, the union proved short-lived and acrimonious. After the split, property disputes arose (even Paul Kruger attempted to mediate). The Supreme Court ruled in 1897 that the Klipkerk building itself went to the continuing United/NG congregation, while the parsonage (pastorie) was awarded to the NH congregation. The NH group then continued independently, initially using the older Kruiskerk.

The foundation stone was laid in 1932 and the church was officially inaugurated on Saturday afternoon, 14 April 1933 (the ceremony was affected by a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the district).

The building cost £7,000, of which the organ (made by R. Müller) cost £1,100. The roof slates were sourced from Zwartruggens. The parquet floor is a blend of mahogany and campher wood. The pulpit and pews are made of teak. The church could accommodate 750 people.¹

Locality map
 

Sources
  1. Die Vaderland. 12 April, 1933.

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