Central Methodist Church, Cape Town
| Central Methodist Church | |
|---|---|
| Central Methodist Mission | |
 The church from the north-east | |
 | |
| 33°55′22″S 18°25′10″E / 33.9228°S 18.4195°E | |
| Location | Burg Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town |
| Country | South Africa |
| Denomination | Methodist |
| History | |
| Status | Church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | SAHRA identifier: 9/2/018/0125 |
| Architect(s) | Charles A.S. Freeman |
| Style | Decorated Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1876 |
| Completed | 12 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]
- Yellow banner campaign
-
A yellow banner on the church in remembrance of the Marikana massacre. -
A yellow banner on the church criticizing the South African Arms Deal. -
A yellow banner on the church celebrating Nelson Mandela.
Architecture
[edit]
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]- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "A Brief History – Central Methodist Mission". Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Daniels, Oliver (29 November 2023). "A Beacon of Activism in Cape Town: Central Methodist Church". Cape Town Today. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Hirsch, Matthew (28 November 2023). "Much-loved pastor bows out from Central Methodist Church". GroundUp News. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Damons, Marecia (13 March 2020). "Central Methodist Church seeks advice over removal of refugees". GroundUp News. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Metropolitan Methodist Church details". artefacts.co.za. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ 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.