This is one of Upingtons oldest landmarks.
The NG Churh Upington was founded in 1893. The founding meeting of the church was poorly attended (reportedly as a result of the prevailing drought). Today the congregation, Die Moedergemeente (The Mother Congregation), initially came together on a plot that was donated to the Church. The building later served as a church, a school and also as a jail during the Anglo-Boer War. In 1904 the congregation started to raise funds for the building of a new church building in Schroder street, the town’s main street. Construction work started in 1911 and the cornerstone was laid on 8 July 1911. All the building materials needed to be transported by wagon from Prieska being the closest railway station. The transport was done at a cost of 10 shillings per 100 pounds of weight. Prieska was about 20 hours by horse from Upington. The Church cost £ 7000 to build and the benches and other accessories about £ 2000. The church clock was ordered directly from Netherlands and the tower is 36 meters high. The Church was inaugurated on 13 April 1912 and the service was attended by 1700 members. The hall next to the church building was built in March 1951. In 2013 it was gutted by fire when a cypress tree next to it was struck by lightning. It was then rebuilt in the same place again. AFRIKAANS Die NG Kerk Upington het in 1893 die lig gesien. Die stigtingsvergadering was maar swak bygewoon (glo as gevolg van die heersende droogte). Die gemeente- deesdae die Moedergemeente- het aanvanklik in ‘n “noodkerk”bymekaargekom op ‘n erf wat aan die gemeente geskenk was. Die gebou is later as kerksaal, skool e nook as trunk gebruik tydens die Anglo-Boereoorlog. In 1904 is begin om geld in te samel vir die bou van ‘n nuwe kerkgebou Schroderstraat, die dorp se hoofstraat. Bouwerk het in 1911 begin en die hoeksteen is op 8 Julie 1911 gelê. Al die boumateriaal moes van Prieska af aangery word met transportwaens teen ‘n koste van 10 sjielings per 100 pond gewig. Prieska was sowat 20 ure te perd vanaf Upington af! Die kerk het sowat £7000 gekos om te bou en die banke en ander toebehore sowat £2000. Die kerkhorlosie was direk uit Nederland bestel en die toring is 36meter hoog. Die kerkgebou is op 13 April 1912 ingewy en die diens was deur 1700 lidmate bygewoon. Die kerksaal langs die kerkgebou is in Maart 1951 gebou. In 2013 het dit afgebrand toe die weerlig ‘n sipresboom langs dit getref het e naan die brand geslaan het. Dit is toe weer op dieselfde plek herbou. ( Weg tydskrif)
Pay a visit to this iconic building when in the area.
More info at www.noordkaapland.co.za/upington/