Voortrekker kerk Pietermaritzburg – ONAFHANKLIK
Voortrekker kerk Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg – Op 28 April 1840 is begin met die oprigting van die geboutjie wat vandag nog as die Geloftekerk of Voortrekker kerk/ museum bekendstaan. Dit is in 1841 voltooi. Jare later, 1938, het J.H. Pierneef die skildery van die Geloftekerkie omstreeks geskilder wat in die Huisgenoot verskyn het. Die skildery toon die kerkie soos hy gelyk het nadat die ornate gewels in die 20ste eeu aangebring is en is dus nie heeltemal akkuraat nie.
Die preekstoel in die kerkie wat in 1949 afgeneem is, is ‘n nasionale gedenkwaardigheid.
Before the Battle of Bloodriver/Ncome, the Voortrekker men, led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers, decided to make a vow to God that they would build a church in His honour, should they win the battle. They were successful in defending themselves, and staved off the Zulu attack.
As soon as they settled Pietermaritzburg in 1839, funds were collected to start constructing a little church. It was completed early in 1841, and consecrated in April 1841- the first church-building north of the Orange river.
After 1861, the original building was used as a school for a while, and the caretaker, Mostert, was also given permission to run a bookstore from there. Because it was a heavy financial burden, the church council decided in 1863 to sell the little church-building to ‘Vicar Brayhirst’ for ₤840.
The buyer had to agree that the building would never be utilised, without the consent of the full church council, as a hotel or canteen of any description. By 1865, however, Vicar Brayhirst was declared bancrupt and the building reclaimed. It was thereafter leased to the government again to be used as a school. This agreement was in place until 1873.
Posted in Kerk van Gelofte,Maritz,Retief,Voortrekker Museum
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