The Paarl Strooidak church

The Paarl Strooidak Church belongs to the third oldest congregation in South Africa and is the oldest Cape Dutch church in the country still in use today. The original congregation were Huguenots and it began in 1691. The church bell tower was designed by Louis-Michel Thibault and was constructed in 1811. The well-preserved bell itself is considered to be of significant importance. Cast in 1720 for £14, the bell carries the intricate Latin inscriptions of its Dutch makers, including “Claes Noorden et Jan Albert de Grave Me Fecerunt Astelodami” (Claes Noorden and Jan Albert de Grave made me in Amsterdam), alongside the names of church leaders and donors. Other additions over the years have included an intricate iron gate in 1808 by Jan Warnick and a striking stinkwood pulpit in 1838

A quirky fact is that this church has its own wine label. An excellent Cabernet Sauvignon is made from the surrounding vineyard. It is sold in the Church Hall to raise funds for the church.