NH Kerk - Groot Marico

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Aka: Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa)

Built: 1943

Architect: Geers & Geers

Building contractor: W. Kossen

Location: N4, Groot Marico.

View from south-east. Image source: NHK on FB.

The first church.¹

The first church services were held in Org van den Berg's tobacco shed. In 1923, Van den Berg donated three morgen of land—the current site of the church—for a permanent building. By 1924, the original shed had been enclosed with walls and windows to serve as the congregation's first formal home.

The outbreak of the Second World War in the second half of 1939 disrupted everything in the congregation. At the beginning of 1940, the congregation felt strongly about erecting a church building before building materials became unobtainable.

Towards the end of 1940 the congregation temporarily abandoned the church building plan. It was only at the beginning of 1942 that the congregation decided that as soon as £1000 had been raised for the building fund, a start would be made on the construction of a church building. 

On the recommendation of the architects Geers and Geers, the congregation decided—since building materials were almost unobtainable and certain items could only be purchased with a state permit—to erect a building with a thatched roof and a slate floor. Furthermore, the congregation received a piece of land as a gift from Brother P. S. van der Berg so that the church pasture could have a watering hole for the cattle.

The tender of Mr W. Kossen was accepted as the building contractor. The congregation provided many of the materials themselves. Sand was hauled from Tampostat (Rustenburg); local farmers provided the necessary laths for the roof; and floor stones measuring 2'x2' were sourced from Bokkraal. The homemade bricks were not strong enough, so it was decided to build the structure with face bricks.

On 10 December 1943 the church was inaugurated with a service led by Rev. S. Vermooten.

View from north-west. Image source: NHK on FB.

Interior view. Image source: NHK on FB.

Interior view. Image source: NHK on FB.

Church Hall. Image source: NHK on FB.

Interior of church hall. Image source: NHK on FB.

Locality map

Sources

  1. Oberholzer, A.G. (1973) 'n Skets van die geskiedenis van die gemeente Groot Marico (1923-1973). Die Hervormer, Apr 1973.

 

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