Kareedouw is the first town you get when driving along the R62 through the Langkloof coming from the eastern side. Like the rest of the region, it’s a beautiful area with the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the south and the Kouga Mountains to the north. Standing with its back to the Tsitsikamma Mountains facing the town is the Kareedouw Dutch Reformed Church.
The Kareedouw congregation separated from the Humansdorp Moedergemeente on 9 February 1906. The first call for a minister was issued on 27 July 1907 and PHH Van Huyssteen was ordained on 8 Feb 1908 in the Eersterivier church and confirmed as first pastor. The architect for the original church building was Mr. Hoffman and the original church was built by Mr G.H. Van Rooyen, a parishioner.
The sandstone rocks used in construction came from a hill on the southwest side of the church building and were brought in by oxcart at 25 cents per load. The original wood for benches (now on the galleries) was donated by A Witcher from the Tsitsikamma. The cornerstone was laid on 10 February 1908 and the church was consecrated a year later on 14 February 1909.
In 1929 the church building was enlarged with additions to the galleries and church tower and new layout and entrances. The same year the Church Council decided to have a lighting system installed at R1010 and to have LW Kievy’s clock installed in the church tower at R410. The church tower was also covered with a durable copper plate. In April 1930, the current church building was inaugurated with the first pipe organ, first pulpit and first lights. The pipe organ was rebuilt and electrified in 1956.
The town developed around the church building and in 1910 there were only 8 houses on Kareedouw. The town is located over two parts of farms Melkhoutkraal and Oudewerf and later also part of Assegaaibos. After the church building and parsonage, the church hall and other school buildings also come from the parish treasury. In 1944 the Tsitsikamma congregation broke away and was founded with a stand on Sanddrif. The church’s two Morrison automatic generators provided lights for 50 other buildings in the town in 1951.
In front of the church is a monument commemorating the Great Trek Centenary celebrations with the Piet Retief wagon visiting from 3 to 5 September 1938.
Balthazar Johannes “B. J.” Vorster (13 December 1915 – 10 September 1983), better known as John Vorster, was buried out of the church and laid to rest in the hero’s acre next to the building. Vorster served as the prime minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978 and as state president from 1978 to 1979.
Next time you’re driving through the Langkloof, swing off the main road when you’re in Kareedouw and go have a look at this beautiful church.
