Williston Dutch Reformed Church

Williston Dutch Reformed Church

One hundred years of local church history in a sandstone building. Built from sandstone that was chiselled out of the hill behind the current hospital the Williston Dutch Reformed Church was built by Mr van der Hoven. The corner stone was laid on the 2nd November 1912, burying beneath it a Dutch bible, a hymn book and other documents. At a cost of eight thousand Pound Stirling the church was completed and consecrated on the 31st October 1913. A pipe organ which at the time was a replica of the organ in the Groote Kerk in Cape Town was donated by the Sisters and installed. Oak pews, a clock and stained glass windows were ordered from Holland, and Gas lamps were installed. Today only one of the stained glass windows remains but the pews and clock are still original. All the building materials were transported from Matjiesfontein via Sutherland with a donkey cart, which today would have been a journey of over two hundred and fifty kilometres. The interior of the church has seen many renovations over the years, from the original stencil painted walls being plastered over in restorations during 1930, electricity replacing the gas lamps, and the organ was rebuilt twice. In 1978 all the old clay plaster was removed from the interior walls, and then they were covered with chicken wire and replastered. The acoustics were poor due to small floor space and a high ceiling and acoustic tiles were applied all round. During the restorations in 1978 a beautiful garden was created which today is home to the graves of Reverend S H Kuhn and his wife, as well as Reverend M Uys, who was the preacher for forty years, and his wife.

The Williston Dutch Reformed Church is now one of only 11 sandstone churches remaining in the country and has been declared a National Monument.

For more information on the church please contact:
Williston Tourism Bureau
Tel: +27-53-3910003