Dutch Reformed Church of Kuils River
Nestled in the centre of the town of Kuils River stands an
imposing church building, its spire reaches for the sky as a visible
representation of an antenna to God, the steps leading up to its main entrance
evokes mystery and grandeur this is the Dutch reformed church of Kuils River.
Its architect Folkert Wilko Hesse produced its design as a
labour of love, this is evident in it magnificent façade, sweeping entrance
staircase and dominating spire, its presence somehow omniscient of the town
that surrounds it, it is a landmark to the locals and sits comfortably on one
of the towns major roads Van Riebeek road which consequently is Voortrekker
Road all the way from Salt river but changes name as it goes through Kuils
River, historically this road carried the Voortrekkers from Cape Town all the
way through the town of Kuils River on their way up country towards Pretoria.
Kuils River was initially founded in the 1600’s as a refreshment station for
the Dutch East India company, eventually it was incorporated into the
municipality and developed as a town of which the church formed part of the
first civic buildings to be established.
As an avid fan of architecture, the Dutch reformed church of
Kuils River fascinates and interests me, when I walk the main road to shops and
other amenities, the presence of the church is striking amongst the more modern
buildings that surrounds it, as I am not of its denomination I have only ever
seen the interior once, it is as stunning and beautiful as the outside, with a
large organ filling the wall behind the pulpit, its rich wooden pews flanking
the aisle to the front of the church leaves one a little breathless. Having stood
the test of time this church remains a beacon not just to its congregation but
to anyone who has the pleasure of laying their eyes upon it.
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