Jump to content

Central Methodist Church, Cape Town

Coordinates: 33°55′22″S 18°25′10″E / 33.9228°S 18.4195°E / -33.9228; 18.4195
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Central Methodist Church
Central Methodist Mission
The church from the north-east
Map
33°55′22″S 18°25′10″E / 33.9228°S 18.4195°E / -33.9228; 18.4195
LocationBurg Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town
CountrySouth Africa
DenominationMethodist
History
StatusChurch
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationSAHRA identifier: 9/2/018/0125
Architect(s)Charles A.S. Freeman
StyleDecorated Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking1876
Completed12 November 1879
Construction cost£17,700 (£2,273,000 in 2024)[1]
Clergy
Minister(s)Alan Storey

The Central Methodist Church, also known as the Central Methodist Mission or Metropolitan Methodist Church, is a large and historically important Methodist church located on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town, South Africa. The church has played a significant role in the growth of Methodism in South Africa. In 1988, the Metropolitan Church merged with Buitenkant Street Church, forming the Central Methodist Mission.[2]

History and activism

[edit]

The church is known for its active advocacy efforts[3] such as its yellow banner campaign that seeks to rise awareness of important social issues and as a site of refuge.[4] The church windows were damaged by police water cannons during the anti-apartheid Purple Rain protest in 1989. In October 2019 the church was a refuge site for protesting refugees during the Greenmarket Square refugee sit-in.[5]

Architecture

[edit]
The church at the turn of the 20th century.

The church is the second oldest building on Greenmarket Square after the Old Town House located opposite it. Construction started in 1876 and completed on 12 November 1879[6] at a cost of £17,700 (equivalent to (£2,273,000 in 2024).[2] The architect was Charles Freeman[6] and the building contractor was Thomas Inglesby.[7]

Representing high-Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, the basilica-type church features a distinctive lean-to roof and a tower with a spire.[6] It is a listed heritage building with the SAHRA identifier of 9/2/018/0125.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b "A Brief History – Central Methodist Mission". Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  3. ^ Daniels, Oliver (29 November 2023). "A Beacon of Activism in Cape Town: Central Methodist Church". Cape Town Today. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ Hirsch, Matthew (28 November 2023). "Much-loved pastor bows out from Central Methodist Church". GroundUp News. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ Damons, Marecia (13 March 2020). "Central Methodist Church seeks advice over removal of refugees". GroundUp News. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Metropolitan Methodist Church details". artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  7. ^ Walker, Michael (2012). The early architects of Cape Town : and their buildings (1820-1926), with postcard illustrations. St. James, South Africa: Michael Walker. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-620-55120-5. OCLC 829793158.