By Roxanne Reid
When you take the turnoff from the N2 onto the R406 near Caledon in the Western Cape, chances are you’re on your way to the peaceful little village of Greyton. Learn why to visit Genadendal Moravian mission village – the oldest in Africa – 5km from Greyton.
When you take the turnoff from the N2 onto the R406 near Caledon in the Western Cape, chances are you’re on your way to the peaceful little village of Greyton. Learn why to visit Genadendal Moravian mission village – the oldest in Africa – 5km from Greyton.
Originally called Baviaanskloof when it was established in 1738, it was renamed Genadendal, or ‘valley of grace’, in 1803.
The first missionary here among the Khoi people was George Schmidt, who taught them to read and write. That was fine and dandy, until in 1742 he started baptising them as Christians. The Cape Dutch Reformed church threw up its hands in horror, claiming he wasn’t an ordained minister. Schmidt left in 1744 and it wasn’t until 1792 that Moravian missionaries named Schwinn, Kühnel and Marsveld came to Genadendal to continue his work.
The first missionary here among the Khoi people was George Schmidt, who taught them to read and write. That was fine and dandy, until in 1742 he started baptising them as Christians. The Cape Dutch Reformed church threw up its hands in horror, claiming he wasn’t an ordained minister. Schmidt left in 1744 and it wasn’t until 1792 that Moravian missionaries named Schwinn, Kühnel and Marsveld came to Genadendal to continue his work.
The story goes that the three newcomers met an old Khoi woman under a pear tree Schmidt had planted decades earlier. She was one of his earliest converts and still held services under the pear tree, reading from a pocket bible that Schmidt had given her.
First kindergarten and church offices
The church
At the far end of the village, under giant oak trees, is a cluster of ochre-yellow buildings around the church, which was built in 1891. Peek inside to see the white-painted wooden benches, a haven of simplicity compared to some places of worship that are overly ornate. The pipe organ is said to be the oldest in South Africa.
At the far end of the village, under giant oak trees, is a cluster of ochre-yellow buildings around the church, which was built in 1891. Peek inside to see the white-painted wooden benches, a haven of simplicity compared to some places of worship that are overly ornate. The pipe organ is said to be the oldest in South Africa.
Next to it stands the first church with its Cape Dutch gables and thatch – built in 1795/6 – and the church bell, which dates back to 1798.
The first church and church bell
The museums
Visit the double-storey museum over the road from the church to get your ticket (for a small fee) to visit the museums. You also get an information brochure about the buildings in the church precinct, all of which were declared national monuments in 1980.
The main museum building was erected in 1838 as South Africa’s first teacher’s training college. Genadendal was also the site of South Africa’s very first kindergarten.
Visit the double-storey museum over the road from the church to get your ticket (for a small fee) to visit the museums. You also get an information brochure about the buildings in the church precinct, all of which were declared national monuments in 1980.
The main museum building was erected in 1838 as South Africa’s first teacher’s training college. Genadendal was also the site of South Africa’s very first kindergarten.
First teacher's training college in South Africa, now Genadendal's museum
Inside, posters tell the story of Genadendal and the mission station, hinting at why it was one of the most progressive communities in the Cape in the 19th century. Upstairs are collections of musical instruments, displays of children’s toys and games, basketry and blacksmithing, as well as a huge space devoted to old kitchen equipment, among other displays.
Next door is a cottage museum, with a model of a Khoi camp and information on a thousand freed slaves who settled in Genadendal when slavery was abolished in 1838. An attached building behind shows a typical 19th century cottage interior: bedroom, living room and kitchen with open hearth.
Cottage museum
Other attractions in the historical precinct
Today, the peacefulness of the church werf and its shady trees gives little hint that this was once an industrial town that made knives and furniture. The missionaries also did pioneering work in education, music, printing and architecture.
Today, the peacefulness of the church werf and its shady trees gives little hint that this was once an industrial town that made knives and furniture. The missionaries also did pioneering work in education, music, printing and architecture.
Explore the historical precinct to see the old water mill, which is still in working order, next to a tinkling stream. Get a key for the printing history museum from the tourist info office across from the church to see the old printing press. See the old school buildings and the parsonage, take a walk to the old cemetery and a memorial garden where the cottage of George Schmidt – the first missionary – once stood.
Depending on how intriguing you find history and old buildings, you could spend anything from 30 minutes to three hours burrowing through the wealth that Genadendal has to offer.
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