Philippi Lutheran Church Baptisms
The small Lutheran Church of was built in 1897 and the majority of church services were conducted in German until 1957. Start searching for your German ancestors who lived in the Cape Flats. – Over 800 records in this collection from 1888 – 1940. The church was started by the German inhabitants who immigrated to the Cape Flats in 1877. Despite of the poor condition of the soil these intrepid farmers did not waste any time turning this sandy soil into the rich and fertile vegetable farmlands of the Flats.
They were introduced as truck farmers from Germany and made the Flats a cultivated area, especially round Philippi, of intensive market gardening. The hollows between the dunes are generally flooded by winter rains, and so small lakes, known as ‘vleis’, form on the flats. The original area was called “Zionhöhe” (Zion’s Height)
Schultze's Farm House in Philippi circa 1899
Wattle trees were planted to stabilise the shifting sand-dunes and took root and spread, Philippi -named after Dr. Philip Faure, first minister of the Wynberg parish of the Dutch Reformed Church and was part of the area settled by German immigrants. The first group arrived in 1878, the second in 1883, the third in 1886. The settlers came from many parts of Germany and included Hanoverians, Westphalians, Brandenburgers, Thuringians and Saxons. They settled on the Flats in an arc from Mowbray to Diep River. Some were farmers, but there were a variety of occupations among the settlers, from bakers to metal-workers. Their intention was to raise cattle and sell butter, potatoes and other vegetables. Very soon, however, they found that the soil of the Cape Flats was not suitable for cattle-farming. Before long many were in dire straits and were forced to earn an existence by cutting the wattle trees on the Flats and selling them as firewood. But most of the settlers persisted doggedly in their farming. Eventually, after suffering severe hardships, their efforts were rewarded and the settlement developed into the market-garden of Cape Town, supplying it with all kinds of vegetables.
We also have over 500 headstones from the Cemetery that need tagging – if anyone wants to volunteer, please contact us.
Is there any chance that the baptism records for the Lutheran Churches in Cape Town will be available on this site? I have been trying for years to get info on my 2nd great grandmother, Frederica Schubert, who was baptised in the Luterse Kerk in 1843, but to no avail. I have emailed the pastor from the church and he wasnt able to help me. I dont want anyone to do the legwork for me – I want to do it for myself. Any suggestions? (I live in Australia so no chance of actually being able to go and sift through the records myself…) A researcher from Gisa offered to find me info and I paid her around R300 to give me exactly two pieces of info and that was her transcription of the records & I want to see the originals without having to pay such a ridiculous amount of money. Regards, Nicky
Hi Nicky
Those records are at the Cape Town Archives and you can contact them personally and ask you to send you copies for a nominal fee.
regards
Heather
Hi Nicky
Thanks for the message.I will try and find out about digitising those records and get back to you. I am very sorry to hear that you were ripped off. If you would not emailing me on my private email address I can make sure that anybody uses that researcher.
regards
Heather
Hi I am trying to find out the maiden name of Maria Elizabeth Orsmond married to albert charles orsmond
Hi Carole
Did they attend the Philippi Lutheran Church? If not what church? What decade or century? Can you be more specific please?
thanks
Heather