NH Kerk - Potchefstroom

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Built: 1859-1866

Architect: Unidentified

Locality: Walter Sisulu Lane, Potchefstroom

Timeline

View from south-west.¹

The congregation was founded by the Voortrekkers in 1842. It was the first congregation to be established in the then Transvaal and is therefore the oldest congregation in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika, as well as the oldest congregation of the three sister churches in the then Transvaal.

On 26 March 1842, Rev. Daniel Lindley, who had been appointed by the Voortrekker Volksraad in Natal as the minister of the independent Voortrekker church, held his first religious service in Potchefstroom. During the religious services, Holy Communion was administered for the first time in the Transvaal, while 189 children were baptized and 103 members made their confession of faith. The Potchefstroom congregation initially encompassed the entire Voortrekker territory north of the Vaal River.

Early photo from from north-east.³

In 1853, Ds. van der Hoff became the first permanent minister of the church. He arrived in Potchefstroom on 17 May 1853 and spent more than 28 years ministering to the community, until his death in 1881. Following his death at age 67, his memorial service was led by Reverend N.J. van Warmelo, and he was eventually succeeded in the Potchefstroom pulpit by Reverend C.W. du Toit in 1885.

Communion in c.1870 showing stepped gables, without the tower or butresses.³

In 1892 the thatched roof was replaced with corrugated iron, and the tower and butresses were added. Shortly thereafter, a pipe organ was imported directly from London and meticulously installed by the local organist using instructional manuals.

There is a bronze sculpture at the main entrance which was created by Coert Steynberg in 1953.

In 1965 the church was declared a National Monument.

Early photo during communion.⁵

East (main) entrance.¹

Interior view of gallery.¹

Locality map

Sources
  1. NH Kerk, Potchefstroom
  2. F.A.K. on FB.
  3. NHK on FB.
  4. Oberholster, J.J. (1972) The Historical Monuments of South Africa.
  5. Die Hervormer, July 1969.

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