De Nieuwe Kerk

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Die Groote Kerk is the oldest and largest Dutch Reformed church in South Africa, and has on occasion been the venue for performances of various kinds.


Also known as De Nieuwe Kerk or Die Moederkerk

In the Netherlands there are a number of churches known as "De Nieuwe Kerk", including the famous one in Amsterdam, a 15th-century church located on Dam Square, next to the Royal Palace.

The one on Cape Town

Built by Herman Schuette in 1841, Die Groote Kerk ("great or large church") is a Dutch Reformed church in Cape Town, and the oldest remaining place of Christian worship in South Africa. It replaced the first church, erected on the same land in 1678, Willem Adriaan van der Stel laying the cornerstone. In building the new church the original tower was retained. The pulpit is the work of Anton Anreith and the carpenter Jacob Graaff, and was inaugurated on 29 November 1789. The Groote Kerk lays claim to housing South Africa's largest organ, which was installed in 1954 and has 5917 pipes.

Also referred to as De Nieuwe Kerk (since it had replaced the original) or Die Moederkerk ("the mother church") in various sources. Today it is best known in Cape Town as Die Groote Kerk.