This beautiful old church, called Mvana, was built by a Swedish Missionary in 1912. The upper story was used for Sunday services, while the bottom story was used as a school and clinic. Today it is no longer used for Sunday Services, but is still open to people of all denominations as a House of Prayer.
Your kids will have fun doing this one with you. Just step carefully not to ruin the surrounding plants!
Short History: The Swedish Alliance Mission (SAM) was brought to South Africa by a young man called Rev. Klas Arvid Hjelm (1878-1964) at the age of 23. He was born in a province situated in the South of Sweden called Smaland just outside Jonkoping. After being ordained as a Missionary, he decided to preach the word of God in Africa, which was still considered to be the dark unknown continent at that stage in time. On 11 November 1901 he set foot on African soil in the Durban Harbour. After receiving a few lessons in isiZulu by an American Missionary he left to spread the Gospel. In 1905, after spending some four years in the Ekukhanyeni area, he decided to search for a more central and permanent site for his missionary endeavors. He then managed to find a suitable place in Piet Retief with enough land, which he then purchased on behalf of the Swedish Alliance Mission. The large two-story church building was erected on the mission ground and dedicated to God in 1912. School classes were provided on the ground floor of the building and soon other buildings were erected as the mission's activities grew and expanded. Bedrooms were prepared for co-workers and people traveling to or from Swaziland and other mission areas. Stables were added for missionaries traveling to and fro on their missionary duties as the Swedish Alliance Mission concentrated its activities toward the East across the border into Swaziland, and Northeastward beyond Amsterdam all the way to Barberton.
Reverend Hjelm was later to be affectionately known as “Mvana”. Mvana literally translates to the “Small Lamb”. This name was bestowed to him by his African converts when they observed his soft, kind and humble nature.
Take your time to walk around and look at this more than 100 year old building situated in a quiet part of the town, while you experience the tranquility that surrounds it. Consider yourself lucky if there is somebody there and you are allowed inside.