St Mary's, Barkly West
Encyclopedia
The Anglican Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Barkly West, was for some years the principal parish church on the Diamond Fields, South Africa
, and the churches established soon afterwards at the Dry Diggings – what would become Kimberley
– were at first mere outstations.
to the Diamond Fields, in 1870, came from the Free State
when the Revd Mr C. Clulee, spent part of his winter holiday here from Bloemfontein
. Clulee was head of the Grammar School
there, and ran the “Native Mission” of the Diocese of Bloemfontein
. But the jurisdiction of the church in these parts – which, like the Diocese of Bloemfontein as a whole, lay beyond the Queen’s dominions – was first officially extended with the arrival of Archdeacon Henry Kitton from Grahamstown
in November. “We are requested to state for the information of members of the English Church residing at the Diamond Fields,” announced the Diamond News, “that the Ven Archdeacon Kitton has been temporarily appointed by the Lord Bishop of Grahamstown (acting as Metropolitan) to the pastoral charge of the whole district on both sides of the river. The services and rites of the English Church will, until permanent arrangements are made, be performed only by the Archdeacon and such clergymen as he may authorise.”
Within a month, “Church of England Services” were being advertised and were held at Pniel
, “in the new church tent”; in the Music Hall at Klipdrift (afterwards called Barkly West); and also at Good Hope. Moving swiftly to consolidate an Anglican presence here, Kitton convened a meeting of the English Church Committee in December. Accepting office as secretary, Mr R.W. Murray advocated the erection of a church building as “a work so essential for the general good, that everyone of the Fields caring for the welfare of the community ought to take a part in it when called upon to do so.” In February 1871, His Excellency the British High Commissioner Sir Henry Barkly honoured the community by laying the foundation stone.
It was also in February 1871 that the Revd Mr Henry Sadler M.A., arrived via Bloemfontein, and was referred to as “Chaplain to the Fields”. Sadler had been recruited in England during Bishop Robert Gray
’s recent visit there, and saw the project advanced to build the church.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Barkly West, was dedicated in November 1872, with Fr E. Stenson as first Rector. It held its place as the first and principal parish at this western edge of the Diocese of Bloemfontein until gradually other churches – such as those in Kimberley – could stand on their own (having initially been chapelries administered from Barkly). When eventually in 1911 the Bishops agreed to the formation of a separate Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Kimberley, soon to be officially a city, had for long eclipsed Barkly West in size and importance; and many other parishes had sprung up in rural towns and villages. But St Mary’s had played a crucial role in establishing an Anglican presence in the area.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and the churches established soon afterwards at the Dry Diggings – what would become Kimberley
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
– were at first mere outstations.
An Anglican presence on the Diamond Fields
The first visit by an Anglican priestPriest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
to the Diamond Fields, in 1870, came from the Free State
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
when the Revd Mr C. Clulee, spent part of his winter holiday here from Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
. Clulee was head of the Grammar School
St. Andrew's School, Bloemfontein
St. Andrew's School, established in 1863 is a public school for boys located in Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.The years of study are from pre-primary to grade 12...
there, and ran the “Native Mission” of the Diocese of Bloemfontein
Anglican Diocese of the Free State
The Anglican Diocese of the Free State is a diocese in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.-History:The first service North of the Orange River to be taken by an Anglican clergyman was conducted in 1850 by Robert Gray, the first Bishop of Cape Town. In 1863, Edward Twells was consecrated the...
. But the jurisdiction of the church in these parts – which, like the Diocese of Bloemfontein as a whole, lay beyond the Queen’s dominions – was first officially extended with the arrival of Archdeacon Henry Kitton from Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
in November. “We are requested to state for the information of members of the English Church residing at the Diamond Fields,” announced the Diamond News, “that the Ven Archdeacon Kitton has been temporarily appointed by the Lord Bishop of Grahamstown (acting as Metropolitan) to the pastoral charge of the whole district on both sides of the river. The services and rites of the English Church will, until permanent arrangements are made, be performed only by the Archdeacon and such clergymen as he may authorise.”
Within a month, “Church of England Services” were being advertised and were held at Pniel
Pniel, Northern Cape
Pniel was a mission station established by the Berlin Missionary Society on the Vaal River near modern Kimberley, South Africa, in 1845.-Establishment and early history:...
, “in the new church tent”; in the Music Hall at Klipdrift (afterwards called Barkly West); and also at Good Hope. Moving swiftly to consolidate an Anglican presence here, Kitton convened a meeting of the English Church Committee in December. Accepting office as secretary, Mr R.W. Murray advocated the erection of a church building as “a work so essential for the general good, that everyone of the Fields caring for the welfare of the community ought to take a part in it when called upon to do so.” In February 1871, His Excellency the British High Commissioner Sir Henry Barkly honoured the community by laying the foundation stone.
It was also in February 1871 that the Revd Mr Henry Sadler M.A., arrived via Bloemfontein, and was referred to as “Chaplain to the Fields”. Sadler had been recruited in England during Bishop Robert Gray
Robert Gray
Robert Gray was an American merchant sea-captain who is known for his achievements in connection with two trading voyages to the northern Pacific coast of North America, between 1790 and 1793, which pioneered the American maritime fur trade in that region...
’s recent visit there, and saw the project advanced to build the church.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Barkly West, was dedicated in November 1872, with Fr E. Stenson as first Rector. It held its place as the first and principal parish at this western edge of the Diocese of Bloemfontein until gradually other churches – such as those in Kimberley – could stand on their own (having initially been chapelries administered from Barkly). When eventually in 1911 the Bishops agreed to the formation of a separate Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Kimberley, soon to be officially a city, had for long eclipsed Barkly West in size and importance; and many other parishes had sprung up in rural towns and villages. But St Mary’s had played a crucial role in establishing an Anglican presence in the area.