The view of the Groot Kerk at the top of Graaff-Reinet’s main drag is something you don’t sommer forget that easily if you’ve ever visited this Karoo Heartland town. As you enter the town from the south the church slowly becomes visible at the top of the main road. It looms out above the surrounding buildings as you get closer and suddenly it looks like you’re going to drive right into it till the road swings left and circles behind it.
The Dutch Reformed Church with it’s 45,7 meter high steeple was completed in 1887 and has its design based on the Salisbury Cathedral in England. The first recorded church in the town though was built in Church Street in 1792 but burned down before it was completed. In 1800 they completed a second church, this time on the site of the present church. In 1822 with the arrival of Rev Andrew Murray the church was demolished and a third church with a thatched roof, gables, clock tower and encircling wall was completed the next year. This church served the community for 60 years until they decided to replace it with what we see today.
Yet another beautiful church, and I remember thinking we'd drive right into it.