Wanda Verster Research Proposal

Magister Architecturae 2012

A6- 2012/02/20

T ITLE :

The Development, Change and Reuse and abandonment of Places of Worship in the

Bloemfontein area in the 20th Century.

Conservation the most sustainable thing to do

B ACKGROUND

TO THE STU DY :

The value of open space and existing buildings in the context of an energy conscious industry is undeniable. There seems to be a growing need to repurpose existing buildings. At the same time there also seems to be a decline in certain neighbourhoods when it comes to the sizes of congregations. Often places of worship are sold, left empty, used by different denominations or even religions or simply demolished. These buildings have embedded symbolism and communities may have strong views on the reuse of these buildings. In Europe and the United States these types of buildings have been reused in many cases, EXAMPLES with varying functions introduced. This can serve as a comparison to the South African context and Bloemfontein context in depth.

P R IO R R E SEA R C H :
Prior research on the subject include broad surveys with various focuses. Some places of worship are included in the books of P.J. Nienaber and Le Roux (1982) as well as Karel Schoeman (1980, 1982). Jan Hoevers (2009) has made a broad study on protestant churches founded before 1900. D.A. van der Bank (2008) has done a survey on Sandstone churches in the Free State as well as a survey on Moerdijk churches. However the works are in most cases broad and include basic histories with little contemporary information. The lack of plans and other forms of documentation also limits the work. Leon Roodts (1987) work on the subject is also worth mentioning. His thesis is focused on the republican era and is broader than places of worship or churches. The proposed study will not necessarily be focused on buildings from a certain historical time frame.

R EASONS

F OR THE STUDY AND REASONS AS TO WH Y THE AUTHOR IS IN A POSITION TO ATTEMPT IT :

The main aim of the study is to record places of worship in the research area that are being used for purposes other than their original intended function. This includes denominational changes and buildings that are derelict. The further aims are to discover methods wherein buildings designed for very specific functions can be reused in a successful manner, thus investigating the question of how function follows form.

Having grown up in the area of the intended study, as well as having a great interest in the history of this area, the author has also been influenced by the work Prof. Pieter Verster , a theologian in the field of missiology, and would like to gain greater insight into the architectural links to this field. Contributions can include: Gaining knowledge in how places of worship are reused, how certain typologies draw certain functions and what changes need to be made in order to accommodate other functions. An understanding in the role a specific micro (surrounding sites), meso (neighbourhoods) or macro (city of Bloemfontein) contextual influences in the use of these buildings.

K EY R ESEARCH QUESTION :
What churches were built in Bloemfontein during the 20th century, where are they located, what typologies are evident, how many are sitll in use....
Is there a relationship between design or planning Bloemfontein? and the longevity of congregations in

What influences the longevity of Places of Worship (such as Dutch Reformed Churches) in the Bloemfontein (Mangaung Municipality) area? How have church designs changed and what has been the impact of these changes? What consequences did changes in church design have on the life of congregations in Bloemfontein?

S UB

QUESTIONS :

Why do architects persist with functional church designs? To what extent are places of worship in Bloemfontein still used for their originally designed purpose? When did design changes such as the abandonment and reconstruction of the use of a tower occur, how frequently and during which time periods? When did the majority of new building activity in terms of places of worship in Bloemfontein occur, did certain time periods show an increase or decrease? What typologies are prevalent, are still used as originally intended, are redundant and which function easily in a new context. Are certain Typologies more popular in certain time periods and in certain areas? Does the physical/ cultural context serve as a significant influence in the degree of changes made to buildings? What does the process of church building and dissolution of congregations involve in terms of the physical assets, and what ethical issues arise from this? For a congregation to invest in building a place of worship is a huge commitment and responsibility, who initiates the process and who owns the property, chapel or church? If it becomes redundant in whose court does the responsibility fall?

Significance of Study ideas persued information about

M ETHODOLOGY :
Firstly Systematic Data collection of certain buildings will be done, such as the documentation of the building including historical data, context analysis and mapping, from both literature and field work. This will form the basis of the study of buildings that can serve as case studies.

Sifting The Creation of a framework with sub categories on reuse will follow data collection. A comparison will be made between various examples gathered from field work or literature. The framework will serve as a method to draw a line between various case studies. Categories such as location, size, orientation, plan type or the age of the buildings, as well as current functions or rituals, could be a starting point. The Use of case studies: The use of a Theoretical or literal approach in choosing case studies will be determined as research progresses, but a theoretical approach would seem to make sense at this stage. A literal replication is a case study (or studies) that tests precisely the same outcomes, principles, or predictions established by the initial case study. In contrast, a theoretical replication is a case study that produces contrasting results but for predictable reasons. (Groat and Wang 2002: 357) In order to form a framework wherein to analyse the various case studies, a broader study will be made through the use of existing literature, extending beyond the free state and citing international examples. However, as individual case studies are documented the framework and main hypothesis might be reworked. Authors in the field of historical research in the Free State are consulted. Authors in the field of research methods used in historical/ case study research will need to be consulted in order to determine the theoretical framework. Since the research is relatively open-ended a provisional main research question is posed.

L IMITATIONS

AND

K EY

ASSUMPTIONS :

The main geographical limitation of the study is centred on the Mangaung Metro municipality (including Bloemfontein but not the towns of Botschabelo and Thaba Nchu). Time Limit: The time frame in a historical context does not form a distinct limit, since many of the buildings differ vastly in terms of age and time of construction. The time frames wherein the buildings were sold, changed or abandoned also differ, but can form a more distinct limiting factor. Again this will be determined as more data is collected and it can become clear whether there is a clear indication that most of these buildings changed hands in say the last 30 years or in the years following the Second World War The Effect of Anglo-Boer War (if any) will be determined as research develops. At this stage the time frame is focused on the 20th century, this includes the largest part of Bloemfonteins history, with exception of its first 50 years of early development.

By 1939 the crisis [poor white question] was largely over and the sum allocated to relief measures was down to 4.1.percent of the [national] budget. (Giliomee 2003:345) During a visit to South Africa in the mid-1930s, Lord Haily observed that south Africa regards itself as USA in the making (Miller in Giliomee 2003:345). The official opposition was now [1932] the Purified National Party (NP). Under the leadership of Daniel Francois Malan the party spearheaded a broad nationalist movement, consisting of an array of Afrikaner nationalist organizations (Giliomee 2003:350). Between 1939 and 1945 the war economy mopped up most of the remaining white unemployment and brought the poor-white problem to an end (Giliomee 2003:354). According to S. J. Du Toit, who was pro-British during the war, DRC ministers virtually without exeption supported the Boers. So, too, the 1903 Cape Synod condemded injustices that had been committed against members of the church and the destruction of church buildings by British troops. The forging of a federal relationship in 1905 between the DRC churches in the four provinces can be seen as the first attempt to unite Afrikaners throughout South Africa (Giliomee 2003:384). Cultural Limit: The cultural limit is firstly the members of religious groups in the Bloemfontein area. The Dutch Reformed church had a strong presence but will not remain the only denomination under consideration. At this stage all places of worship that are reused within the geographical limit will be included. The rituals associated with religious groups in Bloemfontein will form part of the cultural analysis. At the time of unification in 1910, politicians regarded the church as by far the most important institutions in the Afrikaner community, and treated it with a mixture of respect and trepidation. Merriman once wrote, after attending a church service: I am more sure than ever that in their democratic church lies the salt of the Afrikaner character. May things they lack imagination, education, energy but faith they certainly have that keeps them strong and sound. (Giliomee 2003: 384) The Key assumptions of the study include the perceived decline of the number of functioning congregations in certain areas of the Free State, leaving places of worship abandoned. Another assumption includes the international trend towards the reuse of places of worship (especially in Europe and the United StatesDiscuss), as the number of churchgoing members of communities decline.

M ETHODS
A U TH O R S

IN TERMS OF A NALYSIS

A ND TH EO R IE S A PP L IE D :

Modernist theories such as the ideas concerning form follows function as well as Theories on reuse and conservation will be considered as the base framework of the study.

F IE LD

WORK:

The study is largely dependent on data collection in the field. The documenting of buildings will form a large part of this. Places of worship need to be identified and the current functions determined. This might differ from functions cited in literature and will need to be determined on site. The building will also be photographed as it is currently used and this will be compared to historical data. The initial field work is done in Bloemfontein.

O U TC O M ES :
Outcomes include the following and will be determined in more depth as the study develops: What patterns in terms of use can be determined? Do the buildings fit in the framework, or are more hybrid situations prevalent? What is the influence of context on the longevity of buildings? What is the influence of individual congregations on the longevity/ reuse of buildings?

A NNOTATED B IBLIOGRAPHY :
Eloff, C.C. 1980 Oos-Vrystaatse Grensgordel. Pretoria: Raad vir geesteswetenskaplike navorsing The work focuses on the history of the eastern Free State border region. It gives detail overviews on the political, religious, architectural and educational history of the region. The source is detailed and includes visual material of churches built in various Free State towns. Data on the number of members in congregations is included. An overview of the history of mission in the region is given and mission stations and possible locations for other case studies can be determined. A comparison can also be drawn between the data in 1980 and the current field data. Giliomee, H. 2003. The Afrikaners: Biography of a People. Cape Town: Tafelberg The source forms a comprehensive overview of the history of the Afrikaner in South Africa. It touches on the development and changes in the Reformed churches that played a major role in the development of the identity of the Afrikaner. The work will serve as a source to provide cultural backround to the study of specific cases. Hoevers, J. 2009. Van Kerke en Dorpe. Stellenbosch: Sun Media The source is a broad overview of church buildings of Afrikaans congregations with Calvinistic roots throughout the country, including the Free State. The work is focused on congregations established before 1900. The source gives brief histories on the congregations and includes photographs. It will again serve to help determine case studies and form an historical overview of the more immediate contexts. Koorts, J. M. J. 1974. Beginsels van Gereformeerde Kerkbou. Bloemfontein: Sacum Beperk The source is focused on the principles of church design, specifically for the three Afrikaans sister churches in South Africa. A brief overview of the history of church design is given and several south African examples are analysed and discussed. Although the work is somewhat dated, several examples and principles may be applied to case studies. Nienaber, P. J. en Le Roux, C. J. P. 1982. Vrystaat Fokus. Pretoria: Cum Boeke The work is a brief overview of towns in the Free State, deemed to have historical value by the authors. Brief histories of Free State towns as well as Bloemfontein are given. The text is ordered in a geographical sense and organized around routes. The source can serve to provide historical context, especially in terms of rural case studies. Roodt, L. 1987. The Architecture of the Orange Free State Republic 1854-1902. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State. Unpublished Ph.D Thesis

The thesis is well documented with plans and photographs of republican era Free State buildings. It attempts to analyse the complex nature of the underlying cultural and environmental determinants at work in shaping the architectural image of the Free State in the late nineteenth century. It gives an overview of the role of missionaries in the Free State at that time and will form part of the background to the main study. It serves as source of documentation and early historical information for case studies. Case studies that have been identified can be researched in more depth through this source. Roth, L. M. 1993. Understanding Architecture: Its elements, history and meaning. New York: Herbert Press Limited The source gives a wide overview of architectural history, focusing on distinct periods such as Medieval or Baroque. It also gives good definitions on various architectural themes and explains the relationship between symbolism and functionalism. Schoeman, K. 1980. Bloemfontein: Die onstaan van n stad 1846-1946. Cape Town: Human en Rousseau The work is written in narrative form on the early history of the development of Bloemfontein as a city. It creates a basis for the early history for the primary research area. The history of the older congregations in the city is included in some depth. The source will serve to create an in depth historical context for some of the case studies in the city. Schoeman, K. 1982. Vrystaatse Erfenis: Bouwerk en geboue in die 19de eeu. Cape Town: Human en Rousseau The work is an attempt to record and document the architecture of the 19 th century in the Free State. It is an overview of various different building typologies. A chapter is focused on mission building work and another on the architect Richard Wocke (architect of the Twin tower church) and his contemporaries. Again this provides a background framework in terms of historical context. Some of the case studies are discussed and contemporary visual material is included. This also forms a comparative possibility in terms of the later parts of the 20 th century in terms of what changes have been made to buildings. DRC Synod Archive The synod archive will serve as a primary source in terms of the histories of many of the more contemporary case studies. Such as for example the NG Kerk Monument in church street, built in 1949 or The Tempe DR Church dating from 1960 Van der Bank, D. A. Vrystaatse Sandsteenkerkgeboue van die Afrikaanse Gereformeerde kerke, asook die NG Kerk in Afrika en die Verenigende Gereformeerde Kerk. Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein. March 2006. Vol. 22 part 2 The article focuses on Sandstone churches in the Free State, specifically the Afrikaans reformed churches, including the Dutch reformed church in Africa and the uniting reformed church in southern Africa. 39churches are briefly discussed. Photographs are included, but more in depth analysis is lacking, especially in terms of plans or diagrams of the buildings concerned. Van der Bank, D. A. Gerhard Moerdijk se Bydrae tot Kerkbou in die Vrystaat. Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein. December 2004. Vol. 20 part 5

The article documents the churches designed by Gerhard Moerdijk in the Free State. A summarized biography of Moerdijk is given and each church is briefly discussed and photographs are included. A brief history of each example is given, but again no in depth analyses are done and no plans or other architectural documentation is included. Van Tonder, et al [ed] 2010. Van seringboom tot kerkgebou: Die argitektoniese erfenis van die Gereformeerde Kerke. Krugersdorp: Admin Buro van die GKSA The book gives a brief overview of the building and history of each of the Gereformeerde Kerk gemeentes in Southern Africa. It is valuable in terms of founding and building dates and photographs but lacks in depth information. Jaarboek van die NG kerk 2011 Binney, M and Burman, P. 1977. Change and Decay: The future of our Churches. London: Studio Vista Mills, E. D. 1957. The Modern Church. London: The Architectural Press Holm, J. [D] 1994. Sacred Place. London: Pinter Publishers Lamprecht, C. 1997. Hoe die verhouding gemeenskap tot kerk die liggingsfaktore van kerke in Bloemfontein beinvloed. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State. Unpublished Masters dissertation The thesis is focused on the siting of churches in Bloemfontein and the influence communities have on the locations of various buildings. It is focused mainly on the Northern Suburbs of the city and written from a town-planning point of view. It is valuable to the study in that it provides accurate dates and sites of the northern churches in the city as well as analyses of the placement of churches in certain areas. Van Schalkwyk, O J. 1982. Oorspronge, ontwikkeling en neergang van die kappiekerk boustyl in SuidAfrika. Bloemfontein: University of the Free State [unpublished Masters dissertation] The thesis is closely focused on the Kappiekerk style. It analyses its rise and fall in South Africa and provides various case studies, some of which are included in Bloemfontein. The thesis is valuable to the study for its in depth Analysis including photographs, diagrams and plans of these churches and provides accurate locations. The source provides a good starting point to cross reference the survey and to determine dates and architects.

T IME S CHEDULE :
Study commences first term of 2011. The attempt will be made to complete the study within 2 academic years. The largest amount of time spent will no doubt be on data collection and ordering. Data collection: 6months Formulation of framework with various categories Analysing data in terms of framework : 1- 2 months Analysing Bloemfontein and or other case studies in terms of framework and in terms of other data: 1month Drawing conclusions

Groat, L and Wang, D. 2002. Architectural Research Methods. Wiley: New York.