Church Square ( Afrikaans : Kerkplein ), originally Market Square ( Dutch : Marktplein), is the square at the historic centre of the city of Pretoria , Gauteng , South Africa . The founder of Pretoria, Marthinus Pretorius , determined that the square be used as a market place and church yard. It was subsequently named for the church buildings that stood at the centre of the square from 1856 to 1905. The square's most prominent feature, since June 1954, is the statue of the late Boer leader and president of the South African Republic , Paul Kruger , at its centre. Statues of four anonymous Boer citizen-soldiers surround that of Kruger on a lower level of the plinth .
17-418: Church Square may refer to: Church Square, Pretoria , South Africa Church Square (Cape Town) , South Africa Church Square (Columbus, Georgia) , United States Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Church Square . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
34-667: A fountain was proposed for the square by Mr. Samuel Marks . This piece in turn was moved to the Pretoria Zoo , making way for the current collection of sculptures. The turreted Palace of Justice was the scene of arguably the most famous political trial in South Africa's history, the Rivonia Trial . During this trial, Nelson Mandela and a number of other ANC members were charged with treason, found guilty and subsequently incarcerated. Nearby Pretoria landmarks include
51-484: Is probably the most recognizable, it is not a defining feature of the style. The manor house on the "Uitkyk" Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, for example does not have a gable at all, but remains clearly in the Cape Dutch Style. In the late 18th century, Georgian influenced neoclassical Cape Dutch architecture was very popular however only three houses in this style remain. The houses are also usually H-shaped, with
68-581: The Cape Colony , and the name derives from the initial settlers of the Cape being primarily Dutch. The style has roots in medieval Netherlands, Germany, France and Indonesia. Houses in this style have a distinctive and recognizable design, with a prominent feature being the grand, ornately rounded clock gables , reminiscent of features in townhouses of Amsterdam built in the Dutch style . Whilst this feature
85-547: The State Theatre , City Hall , the historic Kruger House and Paul Kruger church. Cape Dutch architecture Cape Dutch architecture is an architectural style found mostly in the Western Cape of South Africa, but modern examples of the style have also been exported as far afield as Western Australia and New Zealand, typically on wine estates. The style was prominent in the early days (17th century) of
102-504: The Wine Route , and historical towns such as Stellenbosch , Paarl , Swellendam , Franschhoek , Tulbagh and Graaff-Reinet . One characteristic feature of South African colonial architecture which has attracted the attention of many observers is the extensive use of gables. Earlier research has repeatedly sought to justify the term `Cape-Dutch' solely by comparing the decorative form of these gables to those of Amsterdam. However, in
119-819: The Cape Dutch Revival style. In 1902, Baker was brought to Johannesburg by the Randlords following the British victory in the Anglo-Boer War and included the Cape Dutch Gable on many homes on the Rand. Following Union in 1910, the Cape Dutch Revival style became very popular as a South African vernacular style. Unlike real Cape Dutch Architecture, the Cape Dutch Revival style is defined almost exclusively by ornate gables. The rise in popularity of
136-469: The different materials used. By the middle of the 19th century the style had fallen out of popularity and many of the buildings were left to decay. In 1893 Cecil John Rhodes purchased the farm Groote Schuur (Big Barn) and hired architect Sir Herbert Baker to redesign the manor house. Baker looked for a Cape vernacular style and drew influence from Cape Dutch buildings. In reality he created an English country home with Cape Dutch style Gables. This led to
153-572: The front section of the house usually being flanked by two wings running perpendicular to it. The Cape Dutch architectural style is defined by the following characteristics: Most Cape Dutch buildings in Cape Town have been lost to new developments – particularly to high-rises in the City Bowl during the 1960s. However, the Cape Dutch tradition can still be seen in many of the farmhouses of
170-489: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Church_Square&oldid=1228226245 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Place name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Church Square, Pretoria Several historically and architecturally significant buildings surround
187-520: The second half of the 18th century, the period in which, the entire development of the South African gable tradition occurs, gable architecture had gradually ceased to be built in Amsterdam. North of Amsterdam, along the river Zaan, however, gable design remained vigorous until the capture of the Cape. South African gables have many features in common with gables along the river Zaan, in spite of
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#1732772602756204-486: The square's north-western corner for about another 40 years. The building of further sheds and the paving of the Market Square c.1917 were consequences of Lord de Villiers' verdict. Lines for horse-drawn trams initially connected the railway station with Market, Church, du Toit and Esselen streets to the terminus at the east end of de Kock Street. This company ceased operations at the outbreak of war in 1899, and it
221-404: The square. Numerous street benches would be provided and the square's tar walkways would be replaced with slate. The Kruger statues at the centre of the square would remain, and the square will be closed for hawkers. Produce was conveyed to the Market Square by wagon, where their owners' oxen were also outspanned. The produce, if not sold direct from the wagon, would be placed on the ground amidst
238-913: The square: the Palace of Justice , the Old Capitol Theatre , the Tudor Chambers , the Ou Raadsaal (Old Council Chamber) and the General Post Office , which was designed by William Hawke . In keeping with the historical value of the square, a rejuvenation project was announced in 2014 in the old Raadsaal. Roads around the square would be converted for exclusive use by the A Re Yeng ("Let's Go") bus service and its service vehicles, while pedestrian areas would be made more public-friendly. The defunct south wall's fountain head would be restored and trees would be planted around
255-603: The trek oxen and the cattle and horses for sale. A first market shed was erected by the municipality after 1910 which led to a legal battle between the Pretoria Market and Estate Company and the town council. This was finally decided by Lord de Villiers at Bloemfontein, whose verdict gave the council control over 3/4 of the square, while the Market and Estate Company retained control of the Market Hall and buildings on
272-536: Was not until c.1904 that the municipality purchased their concession and restarted it. Only in November 1910 were electric trams put into operation. The square became known as Church Square due to a succession of three churches that stood at the center of the square. The first church on Church Square was built in 1856 by Skinner and Devereux, and inaugurated in 1857. This was replaced by a larger building, which burnt down in 1882. This simple Cape Dutch style building
289-579: Was replaced by an early Gothic style building, built by Claridge, together with Leslie Simmonds. This third church building, known as the Verenigde Kerk, was demolished in 1904/1905, shortly after president Paul Kruger's state funeral was conducted from it. According to a Minute of His Worship the Mayor (Andrew Johnson) for the Mayoral Year ending 25th October 1905, Municipality of Pretoria ,
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