Noupoort: History Between Garrison and Church Building

Noupoort combines a military history with a striking church building. During the war, the town was garrisoned; No. 26 General Hospital was also stationed there. The unusually shaped blockhouse on Hospital Hill is near the Military Garden of Remembrance. All Souls Anglican Church adds a history of construction that began in 1901. Those interested in the history of a destination will find several different ways to explore it here: military presence, personal stories and architecture.

Garrison, Hospital and Personal Connections

A garrison is a place where troops are stationed. During the war, Noupoort was garrisoned; No. 26 General Hospital was also stationed there. There are also two personal connections: Gideon Scheepers and Pieter Kritzinger were each treated in Noupoort after being captured. The town’s history can therefore be viewed through both institutions and individuals. The terms “garrison” and “hospital” refer to the military institutions, while the two names draw attention to people who were treated there after their capture.

The Blockhouse on Hospital Hill

The unusually shaped blockhouse on Hospital Hill is near the Military Garden of Remembrance. A blockhouse is a type of fortified structure; in Noupoort, its unusual shape and named location are specific features. Its proximity to the garden gives the building a spatial connection, while its shape lends it a distinctive architectural accent. This perspective differs from the church’s history: the blockhouse is defined by its form and location, while the story of All Souls centres on the construction process and a particular material.

The Construction History of All Souls Anglican Church

Construction of All Souls Anglican Church began in 1901. The church was built by soldiers familiar with stonemasonry. They had already been repatriated before the building work was completed; the red brick apse was finished afterwards. An apse forms the end of a church interior, and with exposed brick, the brick surface remains visible. The construction history can thus be read in several stages: the soldiers were repatriated before the work was completed, and the red brick apse was finished later. Craftsmanship and the construction process are closely connected here, without collapsing the different phases into a single point in time.

Planning a Trip to Noupoort

The historical themes offer different perspectives: the garrison, hospital and treatment following captures belong to the history of the war; All Souls Anglican Church offers a look at church building and craftsmanship. Consider which of these perspectives interests you most and whether Noupoort itself is your destination or part of a wider trip. This can help you decide how Noupoort fits into your travel plans.

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