South African Art, Jewellery and Decorative Arts
Live Auction, 8 October 2012
Session 3
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
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Notes
The Theatre was opened on 17 November 1800, during the first British occupation of the Cape. However, by 1838 it had fallen into disuse and the Presbyterian Church proposed that it be used as a school for freed slaves. This was supported by the Dutch Reformed Church and the building, now named after St Stephen, was used as a school during the week and as a place of worship on Sundays. In 1857 it was incorporated into the Dutch Reformed Church and became, purportedly, the only one to bear the name of a saint. During the first half of the 20th century, due to the changing nature of the area and the subsequent reduction in the congregation, a proposal was made to demolish the building and build a parking garage. This proposal was eventually abandoned and the church was declared a National Monument on 22 October 1965.
http:www.sahistory.org.za