NH Kerk - Roedtan
Aka: Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk (Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa)
Built: 1965-1966
Architect: Hartman & Van der Walt (church), C. du Toit (parsonage)
Building contractor: Weeshuis-bouers (church), C. G. Steenkamp Bouers (parsonage)
Location: Bosman St, Roedtan (near Naboomspruit / Mookgophong).
View from south-east (1969).¹
Timeline
Roedtan
The small farming town was laid out on a portion of the original farm named Bysonderheid, situated in the heart of the Springbokvlakte in the Limpopo Province. The name "Roedtan" is a linguistic corruption of the Dutch word rottang, which means rattan or cane. Long before the formal proclamation of the town, the immediate area was historically significant for the Moorddrift battle of 1854. A monument commemorating the lives lost during that conflict is located neaby.
- The Moorddrift "Battle" of 1854 was a sudden, highly brutal ambush and massacre. It served as a critical flashpoint that ignited an all-out war between the Voortrekkers and local Ndebele clans in the Waterberg region. By 1854, tensions were escalating rapidly on the northern frontier as expanding Voortrekker parties encroached on territories controlled by local chiefdoms.
Church
The congregation seceded from Potgietersrust in 1961. Services were initially held in the Laerskool Bysonderheid school hall. It was the first new congregation established in the new Republic of South Africa.²
Cornerstone made in Groblersdal.²
During the August Holy Communion of 1963, the subject and other details of a church building made of steel construction were discussed. At the November meeting of 1964, church construction was again discussed with enthusiasm, and new designs were studied in the subsequent months. After consulting the Financial Commission, the Church Council and the congregation decided in April 1965 to build a church as designed by Messrs Hartman and van der Walt, which would cost approximately R52,000. Negotiations were entered into with the Weeshuisbouers to obtain a final contract price.
On 15 October 1965, the first sod was turned under the guidance of Rev. G. C. Coetzee. The measuring out of the foundation was done by Mr Douglas Foster.
The two erven on which the church building currently stands were donated by Oom Gert Jacobs.
To save costs, the congregation would perform certain work, such as the delivery of building sand and the excavation of the foundation. It was later decided to also excavate the turf clay inside the church space and backfill it with other material. This excavation and backfilling of the interior space was completed after the concrete columns had already been erected. The cornerstone was laid on the 29th of April 1966. It was inaugurated on 5 November 1966.
View from south-west (1980s).²
Pulpit.²
With the decision of the congregation to call its own minister, the matter of a parsonage immediately came into question. Because funds were fairly limited, it was decided to temporarily meet the need by purchasing a house on portion 61 of the farm Bysonderheid. However, the congregation realised that the house did not meet the requirements for a parsonage, and the idea of a new, functional building remained a future ideal.
When the financial position of the congregation improved sufficiently, W. Hasse proposed early in 1981 that they begin construction on a parsonage. Mr C. du Toit, an architect in Potgietersrus, was approached to draw up the plans.
On the recommendation of the consulting engineers, Theron, Prinsloo and Van Tonder of Pietersburg, the congregation decided that the turf clay over the entire footprint of the house had to be removed to a depth of one and a half metres, and the site backfilled and compacted with gravel. Meanwhile, tenders were put out, and the congregation accepted a tender from C. G. Steenkamp Builders of Pietersburg for an amount of R126,685.
The parsonage is located to the south of the church, and was completed in 1982.
Parsonage (photo 1982).²
Locality map
Sources
- Die Hervormer, Aug 1969.
- Dreyer, J. (1972) Potgietersrust. Die Hervormer, Aug 1972.
- Prinsloo, F.J. et al (1982) Gemeente Roedtan - 21 jaar.
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