Page 13 - Cape-Camera-February-2025

Cape Camera February 2025

Die Groote Kerk Baker and the role it played in the opposition to Apart-
With the first sod turned in 1678, the foundation stone heid, notably by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the first
laid by Governor WA van der Stel on 28 December 1700, black archbishop in South Africa, who is interred in front
the Groote Kerk can truly claim to be the first formal of the altar.
church building in the Cape. The foundation stones for the current cathedral were
Of special interest is this Dutch Reformed church's mix laid in 1901 by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and
of Gothic, Classical Greek, and Egyptian architectural York (later to become King George V and Queen Mary)
styles — and the pièce de resistance, the pulpit resting on the site where a modest Anglican church had been
on baroque heraldic lions, which represent the power of built in the 1830s. The foundation stone for the north
faith. The pulpit was carved by the famous Anton Anre- transept, which completed Sir Herbert Baker's design,
ith and Jan Jacob Graaff from wood from India. was laid in 1930 by the Earl of Athlone, then Governor-
General of the Union of South Africa. Both the pulpit and
Other interesting features are the bell, made in Amster- lectern are from the old cathedral
dam and installed in 1726 after the first bell, weighing
more than half a ton, crashed to the ground. The many stained glass windows are of special interest,
especially the panels on either side of the nave designed
The baptismal font was crafted by Cape silversmith Jo- by the artist Gabriel Loire.
han Hasse in 1752. South Africa’s oldest public clock was
installed in the clock tower that was shipped from Am- The Lady Chapel is one of the earliest parts of the Cathe-
sterdam in 1773. The impressive organ was installed in dral and the bronze Crucifix is a model of an 8th Century
1753. Inscriptions in the aisles commemorate six early brooch found under a Canterbury street about a cen-
governors buried underneath the floor featuring flag- tury ago. The Chapel is a Memorial to all who died in the
stones of Batavian salt stone. South African War (1899-1902).
Of special interest to CTPS members is the tombstone The Altar and the Painting in the St John the Baptist
of Baron van Rheede van Oudtshoorn in the church wall Chapel come from the old St George's church. The paint-
as one of his descendants, Baron Albert Van Rheede van ing was a gift to the old cathedral in 1871 and is a copy
Oudtshoorn played a major of Vincenzo Foppa's Adoration
role in our society's history. Important information of the Magi by Henry Duke.
A statue of Rev Andrew Mur- Specific planning arrangements, last-minute The cathedral's crypt houses a
ray (1828-1917), a moderator changes (if applicable), and photographic ideas jazz restaurant and The Link is
of the Dutch Reformed church, for these venues will be communicated via the an addition to the cathedral,
stands outside the church on CTPS Update WhatsApp Group. Please contact the which features two stained
the Adderley Street side. administrators Andre Mouton at andre@motisse. glass windows at the west end
sourced from the old cathedral
St. George's Cathedral co.za or Lesley Parolis at lesleyparolis@gmail.com and are the earliest glass pan-
to ensure that you are part of this group where all
This church, which is the seat of updates of CTPS activities are shared. For more els in the cathedral.
the Archbishop of Cape Town, information and to RSVP, please contact Rudi Po- St George's Cathedral was de-
is known for its superb archi- thas on rjhpothas@gmail.com or 082 516 9215. clared a provincial heritage site
tecture courtesy of Sir Herbert in 2014.

Cape Town Photographic Society 13