CLARKSON – The Eastern Cape’s historic Clarkson Moravian Church in the Kou-Kamma Municipality, classified as a provincial heritage site dating to 1840, lies in ruins after a devastating veld fire swept through the church, destroying an irreplaceable cultural treasure.
Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) attended to a fire incident at a church in Clarkson in the Kou-Kamma Municipality on 25 November.
“It is alleged that a veld fire spread to the nearby church, causing severe damage to the historical building before the fire could be extinguished,” said McCarthy.
He further said that no criminal case docket was opened.
Andrew Whitfield, Democratic Alliance Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, said that the destruction of the church included the grass roof, pipe organ, piano, and church pews.
Elaborating on the church’s history, he said that the church was consecrated in 1840, one year after the town of Clarkson was founded, and is of such great historical significance that it was declared an Eastern Cape provincial heritage site.
“The DA would like to express our deepest condolences to the congregants and residents of Clarkson after the town’s historic Moravian Church was destroyed in a fire,” said Whitfield.
“We will stand with the residents of Clarkson during this difficult time and will support them as much as we can after the loss of a site that is the bedrock of the town.”
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