History and walking tour of Pacaltsdorp

The Settlement of Hoogekraal was established in 1813 as a station of the London Missionary Society (LMS). In 1818 it’s name was changed to Pacaltsdorp, in honour of the Rev. Charles Pacalt, the first missionary to serve there.

The Khoi Khoi were the first occupants of Hoogekraal, now known as Pacaltsdorp. During 1812, Rev. Read and Rev. Winner from London Missionary Society visited Hoogekraal. Chief Dikkop, chief of the Khoi Khoi, was so impressed with the missionaries work that he requested several times for a missionary to come live and work with the people. In February 1813, the good news came that Rev. Pacalt would come to Hoogekraal.

On his own initiative, Chief Dikkop personally went to Zuurbraak by ox-wagon and transported the first resident missionary, Rev. Charles Pacalt to Hoogekraal. The journey took Chief Dikkop four weeks to complete.

The Khoi Khoi worshipped the moon. Their clothing, especially the cloaks, were made of sheepskin. They used the kettle skins to clothe themselves. The men hunted game with assegais, bows and poisoned arrows and set snares and traps to supplement their food supplies. Woman mostly collected the wild foods such as bulbs, seeds, berries etc.

Despite all the efforts of Kaptein Dikkop to spread the gospel amongst his followers, he was buried outside the mission’s burial ground about 100 metres from the church. The reason was apparently that he had never converted to Christianity.

His grave, a national monument, may still be seen near the burial grounds. Rev. Charles Pacalt, Rev John Brown Milne, Rev Anderson all lie buried in this peaceful spot. Epeneta Jantze is the only member of the Khoikhoi tribe who was buried with them in the mission’s acre.

Pacaltsdorp is richly endowed with historic buildings. An impressive site for visitors is the unique Norman-style church with its meter-thick rough stone walls. It was originally built from stone, yellowwood, glass and clay. From the tall, square battlemented Norman tower, kilometres of countryside may be viewed.

The “Patat Huisie” as it became known during 1922, was constructed in approximately 1813 by Rev Pacalt as his second mission cottage. Consisting of sod walls, a thatch roof and cow-dung floor, it was declared a national monument in 1976. William Anderson built the first manse, next to Pacalt’s little two roomed cottage. A two-storied building with thick stone walls and abundant yellowwood, it was also declared a national monument in 1976.

Taking a historic walk of Pacaltsdorp.

1. Starting Point: Pacaltsdorp Information Centre. Get map and park here.

2. Kaptein Dikkop Amphitheatre: This unique Amphi-theatre was built in memory of Chief Dikkop. Chief Dikkop was the leader of the Khoi Khoi, the first inhabitants of Hoogekraal, now known as Pacaltsdorp. The Ampphi-theatre is used for community gatherings like the monthly Pacaltsdorp Market Day, and the annual Pacaltsdorp Christmas Lights Festival.

3. The First Post Office: The first Post Office was built in 1971, today it is home to the George Municipalities Areas Office.

4. The First ‘Board’ House: Around the 1890’s the Board House was built for the use of the Village Management Board for meeting and administration. It was fenced during the middle of 1894.

5. The First School: On 1 December 1837, William Anderson laid he cornerstone of the new school. It was built of materials similar to the great stone church, except that it was plastered on the outside. A new school block was built between 1940 and 1951. Today it’s home of the Akkertjie Pre-primary School.

6. Old Stone Church: One of the oldest churches in found in Pacaltsdorp. This imposing Norman style church, also described as Gothic Revival, is unique in South Africa. It’s metre-thick stone walls and tall, square, rough stone Norman tower was originally built from stone, yellowwood, glass and clay. On 19 June 1825 Dr. John Phillip officially opened this unique church which had taken 18 months to complete. Rev. Charles Pacalt demanded the bell on top of the church was imported from England. The church was also used as a school on weekdays.

7. Congregational Church: in 1963 the Rev. F.E. McMaster foresaw the need of a larger church within a decade. At the end of a 10-year period, burgeoning church growth actually compelled the council to erect a larger building. On 25 May 1975, the new UCCSA church was dedicated free of debt.

8. Atkinson Manor: William Anderson built the first manse, a two-storied building with thick stone walls and abundant yellowwood; it was also declared a national monument. Soon after arrival in January 1822, William Anderson began the construction of a third and commodious mission home for hid large family of boys and girls. The double storied, balconied building was constructed of stone quarried on the banks of the Skaap River. The Andersons occupied the house for 30 years. After both Mr. and Mrs. Andersons death the three spinster daughters moved away and the Atkinsons took over.

9. Die Patat Huisie: The Patat Huisie was Rev. Pacalt’s second mission cottage constructed in approximately 1813, consisting of sod walls, a thatch roof and cow-dung floor. Johan Anderson used the old mission cottage for storing his “six-months” sweet potatoes, for which he was well known. Thus, the cottage acquired the name of “Die Patat Huisie” amongst the local people. It was declared a national monument in 1976.

10. JB Anderson Memorial Hall: John Brown Anderson was a beloved teacher and minister for over 50 years in Pacaltsdorp. He dedicated a great contribution towards the development and upliftment of Pacaltsdorp. He was known as the “Father of his people”. Besides filling the long felt need for a church hall, this memorial hall was built in Marc 1959 as a tribute to John Anderson.

11. Grave of Kaptein Dikkop: The Khoi Khoi chief of Hoogekraal was active in obtaining a resident missionary. Kaptein Dikkop died in 1816 and despite all efforts to spread the gospel amongst the followers, he was buried outside the mission’s burial grounds, the reason apparently being that he had never converted to Christianity. His grave is declared a national monument.

12. Missionaries’ Acre: In the centre of the old cemetery lies historical “Missionaries’ Acre”. A small enclosed plot containing the graves of the missionaries and their wives. Amongst others the following persons were buried in the graveyard, Rev. Charles Pacalt, Johanna Anderson (wife of Rev. William Anderson), George Anderson, Mary Anderson (wife of George Anderson) and Epenita Jantjies. Epenita became the Rev. Pacalt’s first ‘Hottentot’ convert at Hoogekraal. She was baptized in the Christian Church on 7 November 1814. She died on the 2nd of June 1859. She was described by Rev. T Atkinson as the first fruit of Rev. Pacalt’s labours and for more than 44 years a consistent and useful member of the Church of Christ. In 1957, the last of the missionaries were buried in “Missionaries’ Acre”.

13. The Tree of Meeting: Rev. Charles Pacalt called inhabitants of the Khoi Khoi settlement of Hoogekraal together for worship under this larg tree. The great Cape Ash (Essenhout) Tree is believed to be the first meeting place. “The Tree of Meeting” was planted about 300 years ago. This tree is situated in the summit of Sandkop, in the centre of where Chief Dikkop’s Kraal used to be up to 1816.

14. The House of Meeting: The House of Meeting was a religious institution where services of a devotional and instructional nature were held on a daily basis. In addition to Sundays, services were held throughout the day. It later served as an information centre for Pacaltsdorp. Today it is an institution where old residents of Pacaltsdorp gather to play traditional games, do fitness exercises and just share stories and memories.