GC33BZB Chapel on Rabie (Traditional Cache) in Gauteng, South Africa created by vanderMerwe

This cache has been archived.

Knagur Green: Due to no response from the CO after the request to maintain or replace the cache, I am archiving it to, stop it showing on the listings and/or to create place for the geocaching community.

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Thank you for understanding

Knagur Green
Groundspeak Volunteer Reviewer

GC33BZB ▼

A cache by vanderMerwe Message this owner

Hidden : 9/1/2011

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

This is a quick road side cache, no need to go inside the church grounds. It is a nano so bring your own pen.

Chapel on Rabie
Very few churches can tell the story of their congregation’s history by looking at the three buildings on their property. But there is such a church and here is the story!
The quaint little church on Rabie has three buildings the eldest of these is known as the “witkerkie” (the little white church). It was built in a typical hall formation with gables in front and the back. The building dates back to 1906. For almost 50 years this was a smallholding area of Fountainebleau and the building was used for church meetings, social gatherings and also as a school. Fountainebleau Primary school, who recently celebrated their centenary, used it as their first school room.
As from 1955 this hall became the permanent place of worship for the N.G. Church. It could host plus minus 110 people.
However due to church growth in the early sixties, an A-frame tabernacle formation was built to accommodate more than 250 members. This building is next to the “witkerkie”. Soon this church also became too small and due to the extensive growth in the Randburg area, a bigger more purposeful church was erected.
The first two buildings mentioned above were at one stage taken over by the Municipality of Randburg and were used as a nursery school and community hall. Unfortunately the “witkerkie” became unused and eventually fell to ruins. Later the church was able to repurchase these buildings from the Municipality.
When the church had it’s 50th birthday memorial celebration, the senior ministry of the congregation came up with an initiative to restore the chapel to its original “glory”. Keeping to “tradition”, koeksisters were made and sold to fund some of the project. A Project team of volunteers and a knowledgeable group (mostly senior members) assembled and the work started.
The seniors then started to examine old photos and a black and white photo from the year 1947 was discovered showing the little church standing all alone in an open field. Today this area is completely built up.
The project members’ dream was to restore the building as close as possible to what it looked like originally and to use it as a Chapel for smaller and more personal meetings such as weddings and funerals. In the planning it was decided that if possible as much as the original form and structure will be kept and used for the new chapel. Luckily the beautiful steel ceiling with its symmetrical patterns could be saved. The entrance that was demolished years ago was rebuilt and the big steel windows removed and replaced with beautiful stained glass. These windows give the little church a unique atmosphere. All 14 windows are artworks depicting the life of Jesus.
A beautiful garden with a wall of remembrance was added to this project. Quite a number of people visit this restored little church especially to see the windows and the project members have received wonderful reports. It is also currently used for the weekly church meetings for the English speaking ministry and for the special service of seniors.
If you want to visit the chapel, park in the main church parking off Rabie Street and take a walk around.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Qba'g trg hauvatrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)