Bethelsdorp on Pasella

Bethelsdorp isn't your normal run of the mill tourist destination yet is has a number of very interesting historical attractions and Van der Kemp's Kloof Nature Reserve to show off to visitors.  Pasella visited Bethelsdorp a year or so ago and produced this insert for the show on SABC 2. Enjoy!

Memorial Church at Bethelsdorp

I've posted pictures of the Van der Stel Memorial Church (United Congregational Church) in Bethelsdorp before, but here's another one for good measure.  The church was originally built in 1803 and has since been rebuilt and extended.  Its probably the oldest church in Port Elizabeth and is generally regarded as the first Congregational church in southern Africa.

The swing and the Almshouses

I've posted about the Almshouses, built in 1822, in Bethelsdorp before, but I liked this picture with the deserted swing hanging from the tree across the road.  It actually didn't catch my eye at all when I took it and if it did I would have framed it better.  I just wanted to get a picture of the Almshouses with the tree in the forground.  How unusual for me not to pick it up at the time.

Van Der Kemp Church

The front view of the historic Van Der Kemp Memorial Church in Bethelsdorp

Bethelsdorp Historic Houses

A row of historic houses in the historic heart of Bethelsdorp.  The long white building on the left is the Almshouses which was built by the London Missionary Society in 1822 as part of the mission station.  They are still used to assist and accommodate the poor and destitute.  The other two houses also date back to the early days of the area and both are still occupied as well.  The left hand one between the Almshouses and the red one belonged to the first black school principal in Port Elizabeth.

Van Der Kemp Church

One of the most undiscovered historical parts of Port Elizabeth must be in Bethelsdorp. Bethelsdorp Village was established in 1803 by a missionary, Dr Johannes Van Der Kemp. The old section of Bethelsdorp contains a number of historic buildings with the Van Der Kemps Memorial Church (United Congregational Church) taken centre stage. Originally built in 1803 it was destroyed by fire in 1890, rebuilt in 1903 and again in 1926 and extended in 1985.

Almshouses

The Almshouses in Bethelsdorp was built in 1822 and formed part of the Bethelsdorp Mission Station. The houses can still be seen just behind the Van Der Kemp Memorial Church. An interesting feature of the Almshouses is the original cornerstone which is still visible.

Mission Bell

I received a couple of comments by beedeeboy on the Van Der Kemps Kloof and Van Der Kemps Memorial Church posts I have done before. He asked if I had a picture of the old Mission Bell. Well, I went looking and I have one, but I will have to get more next time I'm down that way.

The Market Square with the Mission Bell was erected in 1815 in front of the Van Der Kemps Memorial Church which was first built in 1803.

Van der Kemps Kloof

Van Der Kemp's Kloof is situated at Bethelsdorp on the northern side of Port Elizabeth. The Kloof is one of six deep, steep-sided valleys cutting into the escarpment in this area. The Van Der Kemp's Kloof Trail is a circular trail and starts at the historic Bethelsdorp Village. The trail is 8km long (three hours) but can be shortened to 4 km. It follows the little Swartkops River into the secluded and scenic Van Der Kemp's Kloof, returning through the grassy fynbos of the Bethelsdorp Commage plateau. From the plateau there are views across to the western suburbs while on the return route there are periodic views of the kloof, and there is an excellent panorama of the Swartkops valley and Algoa Bay prior to the last steep decent into the kloof.

The route is marked with red arrows and is suitable for reasonably fit persons. It is advisable to walk in a group, wear stout shoes and take a sunhat and drinking water.

Almshouses cornerstone

Today's post is a follow-up of yesterdays. Yesterday I showed you the Almshouses in the historic part of Bethelsdorp and told you that the original cornerstone is still visible. For today I wanted to show you a pic of the actual cornerstone. For Europeans 1822 may not be very old, but over here in Port Elizabeth it is a mere 2 years after the landing of the British Settlers.

Bethelsdorp Almshouses

Bethelsdorp in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth was founded as the first mission station in the Eastern Cape by London Missionaries Van der Kemp and Read in 1802. They convinced the Colonial government of the Cape to establish a settlement for the indigenous people on educational, religious and social ground. The Almshouses built in 1822 was part of the Mission Station and can still be seen just behind the Van Der Kemp Memorial Church. An interesting feature of the Almshouses is the original cornerstone which is still visible.

Van Der Kemp Memorial Church

Bethelsdorp Village was established in 1803 by Dr Johannes Theodorus Van Der Kemp, a missionary working among the Khoikhoi. Many of the old buildings in Bethelsdorp Village are protected by the National Monuments Act. The Van Der Kemps Memorial Church in the village was first built in 1803 and is generally regarded as the first Congregational church in southern Africa. It was destroyed by fire in 1890, rebuilt in 1903 and again in 1926 and extended in 1985. Behind the church is the so-called Livingston Cottage, used by visitors to the village. According to the legend, Dr David Livingstone also stayed there. In front of the church is the Market Square with the Mission Bell, erected in 1815 and in the street next to it visitors will see the Almshouse built in 1822 to accommodate the destitute.