As the world’s eyes were focused on the opening Celebrations of the Fifa 2010 World Cup in Africa, with the Vuvuzela’s and car horns blaring the walls of the 150 year old Church Street Somerset West, Church building, known as the “Grand Old Lady “ of Somerset West came crumbling down at 1:45pm on Friday 11 June 2010.

Last year we celebrated our 175th year of Witness in Somerset West, the beginnings of this church has been closely linked to that of the Emancipation of the slaves in South Africa 170 years ago, when Barnabas Shaw purchased a parcel of land to accommodate the freed slaves. The only building on this land was an Old Wine Cellar, which was very soon converted into a Chapel in 1834.Under the supervision of Barnabas Shaw the freed slaves built dwellings for themselves which is still home to their descendants today. By 1860 the Wine Cellar now a chapel became to small for the growing congregation and as it was incapable for further enlargement, it was resolved to attempt the erection of a new one. Records of this time show, “This was certainly a bold project when viewed in connection with the comparative poverty of the people, the lack of skilled artisans and other difficulties. It was however undertaken in faith, prosecuted with energy and zeal and the effort crowned with success. The Rev Ridgill undertook the superintendence of the work and by means of the local freed slaves, thus skillfully directed, the neatest and most commodiusWesleyan Chapel in the Western Province was erected, as a lasting monument of the genius, zeal and liberality of the Missionary, the people and friends who had so nobly united their efforts in it’s erection” The Chapel was formally opened for Worship on the 29th August 1861 with over 1000 people in attendance.

Indeed this chapel has been a living monument to Methodist Missionary effort in the Helderberg Basin. This congregation continues to serve as a “Haven of Healing “ for those who are broken in spirit, mind and body. A number of Mission programmes have established the congregation and it’s buildings as a center of new beginnings for those who find themselves destitute. Many people of all faiths remarked how they had received their education within the walls of the chapel when its vestry was used as a school classroom and the chapel served as a school hall. The emotions of many were palpable as many members burst into tears at the sight of the gaping wound on their church building. One of the oldest members Susan Adonis (90) remembers being baptized, confirmed and married in the church. She remarked that she attended school and Sunday school at the church. “I am filled with sadness, but I know God will show us the way to continue His work. I have many good memories of the church,” she said.

On Sunday 13 June the congregation returned to the old wine cellar now a school classroom to begin the mourning process, where we spent time in prayer and vowed to rebuild the walls of our building and to strengthen our faith in God and continue our important ministry, to the vulnerable in our community. “The walls may have fallen, but the congregation is still alive”, we declared.

A restoration and rebuilding fund has been established and our church family is invited to assist us in our rebuilding of one of Methodism’s Oldest Heritage Sites in Southern Africa.

The Account details are as follows:
Account Name: The Methodist Church of Southern Africa Church Street Somerset West Restoration Fund
Account Number: 6227 097 3988
Bank                   :First National Bank, Somerset West Branch
Branch Code       : 200-512
Account Type      : Cheque Account