'n kort geskiedenis van die Moederkerk Stellenbosch grafkelder en gedenkmure
by E. Smith

The town of Stellenbosch, also known as Eikestad (City of Oaks), was founded in the late 17th century by the first European governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel (b. 1639 – d. 1712). The town, which bears his name, was nearly destroyed completely by a fire in 1710. Following the fire, the town returned unhindered rebuilt the church in its current location in 1717. As the town grew, the new church soon became too small to hold the growing Dutch Reformed population, so in 1722 the congregation began to raise funds to build a new, larger church which became known as the Moederkerk (or Mother Church in English).

Several modifications and expansions were made to the church throughout the 18th century, but its final form was the work of German architect Carl Otto Hager and completed in 1863. Hager's design embraced the resurgence of neo-gothic design and is clearly visible on the outside of the church in its vaulted windows and prominent buttresses.

The earliest burials occurred within the church itself—as was popular at the time. Over 500 individuals are interred underneath the floor of the sanctuary. Shortly after the turn of the 19th century, family vaults were built outside the church and continued to be popular among the more prominent families until the first Stellenbosch municipal cemetery was established in 1849. Though the construction of the vaults ceased, individual gravestones mark the final resting places of numerous other congregants including four of the Moederkerk's prior ministers. A benefit of the slowed use of the churchyard has enabled the church to beautify its grounds and turn the grafkelder (graveyard) into a well-maintained garden.

In 2001, the church added some gedenkmure (memorial walls) located directly behind the church. With these additions, more parishioners can now find their eternal resting place within the well-kept gardens of the Moederkerk's churchyard.

Sources Used:
-Moederkerk website (www.moederkerk.co.za)
-Explore South Africa website (www.exploresouthafrica.net)
-In-person visit to the Moederkerk
-The City of Stellenbosch website (www.stellenbosch.co.za)
-Explore South Africa website (www.sa-venues.com)