The Dutch Reformed Church in the Kannaland was declared a national monument in 1991, was originally built in 1857 and holds a magnificent organ, large even by European standards. Richard van Reenen Barry was the first pastor and served the community for 40 years. In 1910 the population reached 4000 and it was decided to build a new church. Twenty six plans were submitted and in 1910 the old building was demolished and work on the present church began in earnest.
1912 was an important year as the new church was erected in the neo-Byzantine style with a Marseilles roof. The pulpit, made of yellowwood and stinkwood is from the previous church. The organ was erected by G.W. Price and Son of Cape Town. It was a gift from the three Potgieter brothers of Rietfontein and Buffelskloof which they imported from Hamburg, Germany. Each brother gave £800 for a total cost of £2,400. It has 1,495 pipes in seven sets. The pews, shaped like benches, are of solid oak and can seat 2,000 people.
It is a good example of the sandstone architecture of the ostrich-era. Architect W.H. Louw of Paarl, Building contractor J.P. Strydom, Supervisory architects J.G. Vixseboxse, total building cost £12,790.

This gateway town was formally established in 1899 by transferring a portion of land owned by the Schoeman Family of Vredelus, directly adjoining the village. Soon after the formal establishment of the Village the construction of the Dutch Reformed Church was started and was completed in 1902. Prior to this holy communion was held under the trees at Vredelust. The opening ceremony was attended by over a thousand people who camped on the church grounds from the Thursday to the Sunday. Ds. Johan George Steytler led the ceremony. The parsonage was completed in 1903 and was built without foundations to save money due to the community being a relatively poor one at that time.
The village has a number of registered provincial heritage buildings including the “Old Mill” at Voelgesang and the historic Dutch Reformed Church.

This Catholic Church was built in 1978 by the priest, Father Rankel, and parishioners. On Good Friday every year, people from all over the country gather here for an Easter pilgrimage. The church can be viewed by appointment. There is a fantastic view from the top of the hill. There is a zig-zag path up the hill with the Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross, also known as the Way of Sorrows or the Via Crucis, which refers to a series of images depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. The stations grew out of imitations of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, which is a traditional processional route symbolising the actual path Jesus walked to Mount Calvary.
Something totally unique in our area!

Another interesting small village in the mountains! German missionary Reverend Johann Kretzen, working from Knysna to what is today Herbertsdale, bought a local farm for his sister. Following her death in 1872 he transferred the farm to the Binnelandse Sendingkommissie, stipulating that the residents would receive the right to remain on the farm. Hence the birth of this village. It was here where the well-known Volkwyn chair was made and today the Volkwyn family still plays a vital role in the community. During lockdown local artist Fourie Ackermann starts painting murals on homes throughout the village to brighten up this rustic treasure. The abundance of interesting murals has seen a marked increase in tourists driving through the village to take snapshots of the incredible artwork.

Inland and nestled in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains, there is a historic village with forts dating back to the South African War (1899 – 1903). This village is in the valley of the Langtou River, a tributary of the Gouritz River, and was established on part of the farm ‘Hemelrood’ of which the owner was James Benton Herbert. The first residential stands were sold in 1865 and the settlement was named after the owner of the farm. The Dutch Reformed Church built the first church and school where mission work began in 1863. The mission station was taken over by the Berlin Missionary Society in 1872. The school still stands today. There is a very interesting and beautifully decorated bell in the tower of the Dutch Reformed Church. On the shoulder of the bell one finds a first freeze with flowers and angels playing the violin. Below this and surrounded by pairs of moulding wires runs a text all around the bell: + A.D. 1955 + Petit & Fritsen Aarle-Rixtel. Holland. Then follows a second decorative band. On the front side appears the crest or seal of the foundry. It contains 3 bells (1 and 2) on which one can find the words Soli Dei Gloria (Solely to the Glory of God).

The cornerstone of this church in the mountains was laid on 31 July 1954. It was designed by W de W Bronkhorst of Louw & Louw. The congregation was formed in 1910 already, Covering the area of district George North of the Outeniqua and a portion of district Oudtshoorn in the West. It was named after Ds. Tobias Herold from George, a former moderation of the Cape Town church.

This Karoo town was founded in 1762, on the farm Queekvalleij. Originally named Albertsberg, the first minister was appointed to the Dutch Reformed Church in the village in 1844. The village name was changed in 1845. The Anglo Boer between 1899 and 1902 had a minimal effect on the village that was situated almost at the periphery of the operational area of the Boer Commandos within the old Cape Colony. A British garrison was established in the village to protect the district from the Boer Commandos and the Dutch Reformed Church was fortified to ensure protection against any lightning raids from the Boers. The quaint town has 13 National monuments of Boer and English origin.

Named for its clear water, this tiny hamlet is the source of many tales. It was the site of South Africa’s first wool washing plant and the home of the country’s last transport rider. The first house was built in 1840, twenty years before the town was planned. Soon after the nearby pass was opened in 1858, a town was surveyed. The area was, at the time, owned by Petrus Oosthuizen. The Anglican community built the tiny church of the Good Shepherd which is still in use today. Very little has changed in this town over the last several decades, as can be confirmed in the various films that were made here over the years.

This church without a town serves the surrounding farm community. It was put in use on 17 June 1950 and the first minister was Ds. Jacob Johannes Wasserfall, from 1951 to 1960. Interestingly, it is not the biggest building in the area. A nearby castle and venue called Bygracealone takes that honour.

The construction on this church building was started in November 1906 and completed in February 1908. The church can seat 700 people, although the community today is much smaller. The organ was donated by the NG Church in Riversdale, and was transported by ox wagon. The town itself was founded in 1838, on the farm Buffelsfontein, which was owned by Gerrit van Wyk. Today the population of the village is about 700, of which a few direct descendants of Van Wyk can still be found. Throughout history, the inhabitants of the town were dependant on the farming of fruit, sheep, cattle and ostriches, enjoying the constant supply of water in winter and summer, thanks to the mountain spring known as “The Eye”.