Archistori

Aka:  Church of the Vow, Voortrekker-Museum Built:  1840-1841 : 1911 Original church (photo 1910).¹ Timeline Pietermaritzburg was founded in October 1837. The name is composed of the names of Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz . Before the name Pietermaritzburg was given, the area was known as  Boesmansrant  (Bushman's Ridge). Pietermaritzburg was the first permanent congregation established by the Voortrekkers. A congregation was indeed founded at Winburg—however, it was a "Trek" (mobile) congregation. In 1839 Pietermaritzburg became the capital of the short-lived Republic of Natalia. From L-R: Ds. Erasmus Smit (1778-1863), Gerrit Maritz (1797-1838), Sarel Cilliers (1801-1871), Piet Retief  (1780-1838), Andries Pretorius (1798-1853) . The first minister to serve the Trekkers was the Reverend Erasmus Smit . During the trek, he held two worship services on Sundays and was also responsible for the catechism of the Trekker children. His wife, in turn, provided schoolin...