Religious Organizations – Colour Dots

Auwal mosque

carynkaleido — Tue, 10 May 2022 14:00:59 +0000

Auwal mosque: In September 1794, a Vrye Zwarten (free black) Muslim by the name of Coridon of Ceylon bought two properties on Dorp Street in the centre of Cape Town. He was the first black Muslim to own property in Cape Town. When he died, his wife Trijn van de Kaap inherited the properties. She sold them in 1809 to Saartjie van die Kaap, who was her daughter. In 1794, Saartjie donated land for the building of a masjid. While imprisoned on Robben Island, the mosque’s first Imam, Tuan Guru, wrote the entire Holy Quran completely from memory. His handwritten copy is still preserved inside the mosque. He was released in 1793. Up to that point, an open-air Jumu’ah Saldh [Friday congregational prayers] was held in a disused quarry in Chiappini Street. Tuan Guru, also known as Imam Abdullah, led the Cape Muslims in the Salah. The construction of the Auwal Mosque was made possible by General Craig who permitted Muslims to pray in public in the Cape Colony. Additions to the building were made in 1807. This was the first Masjid (mosque in South Africa. It was built during the time of slavery and became a centre of Muslim communal activity. Every Sunday, you can get Akni to take away outside the mosque, 083 258 7804 39 Dorp Street, Bo Kaap info@auwalmasjid.co.za Auwal Mosque,was established in 1794, Itis the oldest mosque in South Africa. The mosque was built entirely from memory and oral tradition without any formal blueprints. While imprisoned on Robben Island, the mosque’s first Imam, Tuan Guru, wrote the entire Holy Quran completely from memory. His handwritten copy is still preserved inside the mosque.

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Bonnievale stone church

carynkaleido — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:01:04 +0000

Bonnievale stone church is the only church in the world that was ever built at the request of a child! Mary was the third-born daughter of Christopher and Lilian Rigg. The couple’s first two daughters both died before their first birthdays. Mary Myrtle Rigg was born in 1903 and grew up a strongly religious child. As a child, she enjoyed playing in a lucerne field that was close to their family home. In 1911 at age 7 Mary contracted meningitis and before she died, while lying on her deathbed, she asked her father to build her a church. The lucerne field became a family burial site and in 1921 the Cornerstone of the small Gothic-style stone church was placed. Christopher Rigg quarried stone from a hill 100m away from the site to build the church, he laid a marble floor. The tiles were imported from Italy. Stained glass windows were brought from England. The stone and cement dome-shaped roof was covered with lead to prevent leaking. He brought the main door back with him from a trip to Zanzibar, and the side doors and furniture came from Knysna. There is no question about his sincerity and devotion to his daughter’s dying wish. The first Anglican service to be held in the building was in 1924. The Bonnievale municipality had the Bonnievale stone church restored in 1977 and is currently applying to have the building declared a national monument. Read more

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Greek orthodox church of St George

carynkaleido — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 13:11:24 +0000

The Greek orthodox church of St George, was built in 1904 for the Greek community of Cape Town. Hidden in Woodstock on Mountain Road, St. George’s is a lovely, hidden landmark. It has Byzantine-style frescoes decorating the vaults, walls, and apse depicting various saints and icons. The artwork was done by the Romanian priest and hagiographer Father Nikolai during the 1990s and is quite beautiful. The domed ceilings are painted light blue are dotted with stars. In 1968, St. George’s was accorded cathedral status and it became the seat of the Orthodox Archbishopric of Good Hope, Patriarch of Alexandria, and All Africa. The archdiocese presides over the Western, Northern, and Eastern Cape provinces, the Orange Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. 75 Mountain Road, Woodstock

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Groote Kerk

carynkaleido — Thu, 19 May 2022 18:46:56 +0000

The first Groote Kerk was built on this site in 1700, although foundations for an earlier church had already been laid in 1678. Religious practice at the Cape dates back to 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck introduced the Reformed faith. The first service was held aboard the Drommedaris, with later services taking place near the Castle of Good Hope and in a timber structure within its courtyard. Burials initially took place inside the Castle, but as space became limited, a formal burial ground was established in 1677 in the Company’s Garden, on land now occupied by the church and Church Square. The first recorded burial on the site was that of Reverend Petrus Hulsenaar in December 1677. Willem Adriaan van der Stel laid the cornerstone for the original church that was replaced, designed and built by Herman Schuette, stonemason and architect. The church and burial ground were closely linked. During the Dutch colonial period, clergy, officials, and wealthy colonists were buried beneath the church floor. These included governors such as Simon van der Stel (1712), Ryk Tulbagh (1771), and Pieter van Reede van Oudtshoorn (1773). The church contained numbered burial vaults, some accommodating multiple bodies, and burial was largely limited to those who could afford it. In 1737, the church acquired its first organ, and a vestry was added in 1744. By the early 19th century, the building had deteriorated. In 1841, a new church was constructed on the site, designed by Hermann Schütte, while retaining the original tower. The pulpit, created by sculptor Anton Anreith.and carpenter Jacob Graaff, had already been inaugurated in 1789 and remains a notable feature. The interior is largely timber, with wooden pews and galleries. The site reflects over 300 years of burial history. Hundreds of graves remain beneath the church floor, with additional burials once located in the surrounding churchyard, which was phased out during the 19th century. Many original Dutch inscriptions are still visible on tombstones, although some show wear from foot traffic. Restoration work carried out in 1979 helped preserve the remaining tombstones and crypts. The site reflects over 300 years of burial history. Hundreds of graves remain beneath the church floor, with additional burials once located in the surrounding churchyard, which was phased out during the 19th century. Many original Dutch inscriptions are still visible on tombstones, although some show wear from foot traffic. Restoration work carried out in 1979 helped preserve the remaining tombstones and crypts The first recorded burial at the Groote Kerk was that of Reverend Petrus Hulsenaar in December 1677. The grave is one of the oldest identifiable tombs at the Groote Kerk. Other engraved tombstones can still be seen inside the church; the inscriptions are in Dutch, but many of the tombstones show signs of wear from years of foot traffic. Some graves and memorials were moved or covered during renovations. In 1979, restoration was done to preserve the surviving tombstones and crypts. The churchyard outside once served as a broader burial ground but was phased out in the 19th century. . Largest church organ in South Africa The Groote Kerk has the largest church organ in the Southern Hemisphere. It was rebuilt in 1887 and again in 1923. In 1953 it was decided by the church council to replace the Hoets organ with a new instrument built by Pelz and Zoon of Alkmaar, Holland. It was consecrated by Dr AJ van der Merwe on 1 December 1957. The organ has 75 registers, 4 manuals, pedals and 13 couplers. . . Today, Groote Kerk is both a functioning church and a heritage site, holding more than 400 years of Cape history beneath its floor. The church was declared a national monument on 28 September 1962 Audio Guide Just down Parliament Street, 43 Upper Adderley Street, Cape Town Central, Admission is free. Donations are gladly accepted Updated october 2025

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Kalk Bay Mosque

carynkaleido — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:21:49 +0000

Kalk Bay Mosque: Up Rouxville Road, past Lever Street Park, and up a flight of stairs, you’ll find the smallest mosque in the country, the plans were approved to build it in 1898 from mountain rock and clay. Ground was bought for 50 sterling pounds. Back then it was used largely by emancipated slaves from Batavia and Malaysia.. 18 Quarterdeck Rd Kalk Bay

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Labyrinth at Onrus orthodox Greek chapel

carynkaleido — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:11:45 +0000

Labyrinth at Onrus orthodox Greek chapel St Luke’s, the Orthodox Greek chapel at Onrus, is a tiny, privately owned Greek Orthodox chapel. It is an authentic representation of the Greek ecclesiastical architecture as that which is found on the Greek islands. It is the most southern and the smallest chapel on the continent. The chapel was constructed by two artists in 1983. St Luke is the patron saint of artists and healers. Appropriately, there is an artistically laid out seven-circuit maze. St Luke’s is regularly used to celebrate weddings, christenings and funerals. Viewing is by appointment only. 5 Riverside Ln, Onrus River, Hermanus

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Moeder Kerk George

carynkaleido — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:03:20 +0000

The Moeder Kerk George, also known as the Mother Church, was built between 1832 and 1842. The cornerstone was laid by Reverend Johan S.S. Ballot on 14 April 1832. Financial issues caused the church to take 12 years to be completed, and it was consecrated on 9 October 1842. Local craftsmen and enslaved workers produced over 1.8 million bricks and manually dug deep foundations. The style of the architecture reflects early Gothic influence. It has metre-thick walls and a 23-meter domed tower, which unfortunately collapsed in 1905, due to heavy rains. It was rebuilt a year later according to plans drawn by the architect Folkert Wilko Hesse. The original bell was damaged in the collapse, and in 1906, a new bell and clock were imported from London. The original bell was placed in the churchyard as a monument. Materials like yellowwood and stinkwood were used throughout the building, and the main entrance door was brought from Cape Town by ox-wagon. The church organ was consecrated only in 1879. It was only in 1919 that electric lights were introduced. Vintage picture from Saartjie Klipkop Courtenay St, Bodorp, George ngmoeder@caw.org.za

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Palm tree mosque

carynkaleido — Mon, 09 May 2022 09:29:26 +0000

Palm tree mosque is the second oldest Muslim sacred place of worship in South Africa. The mosque was the home of Frans van Bengalen and Jan van Boughies. They were freed slaves who bought the property in 1807. They were originally members of the nearby Auwal Mosque. Palm tree mosque is the oldest building on Long Street that is in its original condition. The story goes that the seeds for the two palm trees on the street were brought back to Cape Town by some pilgrims who had visited Mecca. During the time the VOC ran the Cape the Dutch discouraged the practice of Islam. Ceremonies were held in secret, mostly outside on the mountain slopes Fruit and veg sellers outside the mosque circa 1940 185 Long Street Cape Town

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Salem biblical garden

carynkaleido — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 08:59:07 +0000

Salem biblical garden In Salem biblical garden, discover a Journey through the Bible walking a path about 400m long with 10 stops depicting scenes, artwork, and displays from Bible stories. Take a guided tour of our “Journey through the Bible”.The artworks depict major characters. Stories are told with mosaics, exhibits, sculptures, reliefs, and ceramic works. There is an open-air Archaeology Museum still under construction and a City Gate with an in-situ dig revealing artifacts from Biblical times. Fascinating historical record verifying the Bible narrative. Rheebokskloof Road, Paarl GPS: -33.677240, 18.919827

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Slave church museum

carynkaleido — Thu, 19 May 2022 10:29:49 +0000

The slave church museum(South African Sendinggestig Museum) built for the South African Missionary Institution, is one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings on Long Street. It is the oldest mission church in the country and the third-oldest church of any denomination in its original form. The mission’s main focus was to provide Bible classes and literacy training to slaves, hence the “Slave Church” The main gallery is supported by teak wood columns that were originally a ship’s mast. The front steps are made from Robben Island slate and the stone and wood interior features oak pews, a neo-classical pulpit, and an organ. By the 1960s the church was somewhat dilapidated but the provincial authorities restored it in the late 1970s assisted by an old drawing of the original exterior. Concerts are held there as there are great acoustics in the interior. , 40 Long Street, Cape Town

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