Historical Churches of Pretoria
-By: Letlhogonolo Ndhlovu
Built medieval architecture style with liturgical art on stained windows filtering in sun rays. The perfect symmetry of the pillars, or the statues inside the church which are beautiful and hold symbolic meaning, Pretoria has many Historical Churches to admire.
The liturgy art on the windows for example resemble the angels and saints of heaven and the dome like architecture reveal the order and geometry of the cosmos.
Pope John Paul II once wrote that,” Beauty enthuse us for the work of prayer, and prayer raises us up to God.” Perhaps this is why great detail was carved into these sacred buildings, imagine how much time it took with less advanced tools to perfect the structures and note how long they’ve all been standing.
Traditional churches in Pretoria are over 100 years old.
Christianity in South Africa dates as far back as 1488. Infinite moons later, as the South African political landscape changed, over 80% of South Africans are Christian traditional or charismatic church going folks.
Here is a list of old churches in the city:
Paul Kruger Gereformeerde kerk
The oldest Dutch Reformed Church opposite Paul Krugers House Museum on WF Nkomo Street. The Pretoria branch was only built in 1897 though the church was founded in the 1570’s. Paul Kruger used to be a member of the church, which still has the chairs Paul and his Mrs used to sit on during services with the same Dutch hymn book on display.
Style: Neo Renaissance
Location: 59 WF Nkomo Street, Pretoria CBD.
Bosmanstraat Church (The Dutch Reformed Church)
Official cornerstone laid by General Louis Botha May the 11th 1903. It is now a home to Pen ministries.
Architects: Klass van Rijsse and Kraan & Weyers
Style: Neo Renaissance
Location: Corner Bosman Street and Madiba Drive, Pretoria CBD.
Sacred Heart Roman- Rite Cathedral
The most beautiful church in town built in 1877 evidently ablaq seen from the light and dark rows method of stone used to build the church.
Style: Gothic Architecture
Location: Corner Bosman and Nana Sita Street, Pretoria CBD.
Anglican Cathedral of St. Alban the Martyr
The English church of the first British Martyr built in the year of 1909 in Pretoria with textured stone facades. The church played a pivotal role during South Africa’s transformation in the 1980’s serving as a rallying point for anti- apartheid marches.
Architect: Sir Herbert Baker who also designed the Union Building
Style: Early English Architecture
Location: 237 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria CBD.
St Andrews Presbyterian
This Presbyterian Church originally from Scotland with its history in Pretoria dating as far 1889-1902.
Architect: John Ralston
Style: Early English Architecture
Location: 294 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria CBD.
St Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church
Established in 1889 as the first German Church in Pretoria that still provides tri-lingual services in English, Dutch and Afrikaans.
Location: Corner Van der Walt and Nana Sita Street, Pretoria CBD.
Wesley Church / Pretoria City Mission
The church was built in Pretoria in the year 1879 though the history of the church begins in 1861.
Architect: Gordon McIntosh
Location: Thabo Sehume and Visagie Streets, Pretoria CBD.
Central Baptist Church Pretoria
The Church was founded in 1887; Paul Kruger placed a cornerstone officially opening the church in 1891 on May the 31st. The cornerstone can still be seen at current church opened in 1949.
Location: 827 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria CBD
Other various religious categories whose roots are older than our time include:
The Mariamman Temple
Read a detailed article about the oldest Hindu Temple in Pretoria built in the year 1905.
The Central Mosque
Right in the city centre is a Muslim Mosque built in 1927, the Muslim community ties in Pretoria are much ancient, dating to the year 1896.
Style: Islamic architecture
Location: 51 Queen Street, Pretoria CBD
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