Beautiful Churches: Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa

By Published on May 1, 2016

The Dutch Reformed Church has a long history of faithful worship in Franschhoek, South Africa.

Huguenots fleeing religious persecution in 17th century France found freedom to flourish in the Franschhoek, or “French corner,” in what is now the Western Cape province of South Africa. The Huguenots brought their extensive knowledge of viniculture and soon vineyards and churches bore fruit for the exiles.

The Huguenots followed the teachings of John Calvin and had much in common with the Dutch, leading them to join together in worship at the Dutch Reformed Church. The church was founded in 1843 and built in 1847, and it welcomes travelers on the main road.

The building has a traditional cruciform floor plan with a thatched roof, but no steeple. It features an organ that still resounds through the large interior. Since 1929 services in the church have been held in Afrikaans, and the church uses Afrikaans Bibles and an Afrikaans Psalter.

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