Central Methodist Church, Cape Town
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Central Methodist Church
| other name = Central Methodist Mission
| image = The Central Methodist Mission church - L'église centrale méthodiste.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption = The church from the north-east
| coordinates = {{coord|-33.9228|18.4195|region:ZA_type:landmark|display=title,inline}}
| location = Burg Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town
| country = South Africa
| denomination = Methodist
| membership =
| attendance =
| status = Church
| functional status = Active
| heritage designation = SAHRA identifier: 9/2/018/0125
| designated date =
| architect = Charles A.S. Freeman
| style = Decorated Gothic Revival
| groundbreaking = 1876
| completed date = 12 November 1879
| events =
| construction cost = £17,700 (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|17700|1879|r=-3}}}} in {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}){{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}
| capacity =
| circuit =
| minister = Alan Storey
}}
The Central Methodist Church, also known as the Central Methodist Mission or Metropolitan Methodist Church, is a large and historically important Methodist church located on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town, South Africa. The church has played a significant role in the growth of Methodism in South Africa. In 1988, the Metropolitan Church merged with Buitenkant Street Church, forming the Central Methodist Mission.{{Cite web |title=A Brief History – Central Methodist Mission |url=https://cmm.org.za/a-brief-history/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en-ZA}}
History and activism
The church is known for its active advocacy efforts{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Oliver |date=2023-11-29 |title=A Beacon of Activism in Cape Town: Central Methodist Church |url=https://capetown.today/a-beacon-of-activism-in-cape-town-central-methodist-church/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Cape Town Today |language=en-US}} such as its yellow banner campaign that seeks to rise awareness of important social issues and as a site of refuge.{{Cite web |last=Hirsch |first=Matthew |date=2023-11-28 |title=Much-loved pastor bows out from Central Methodist Church |url=https://www.groundup.org.za/article/much-loved-cape-town-pastor-delivers-his-last-sermon/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=GroundUp News |language=en}} The church windows were damaged by police water cannons during the anti-apartheid Purple Rain protest in 1989. In October 2019 the church was a refuge site for protesting refugees during the Greenmarket Square refugee sit-in.{{Cite web |last=Damons |first=Marecia |date=2020-03-13 |title=Central Methodist Church seeks advice over removal of refugees |url=https://www.groundup.org.za/article/central-methodist-church-get-advice-over-removal-refugees/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=GroundUp News |language=en}}
Church on Green Market Square Marikana.JPG|A yellow banner on the church in remembrance of the Marikana massacre.
Criticising the SA arms deal.JPG|A yellow banner on the church criticizing the South African Arms Deal.
Central Methodist Mission WLM 2013.JPG| A yellow banner on the church celebrating Nelson Mandela.
Architecture
File:The National Archives UK - CO 1069-214-50.jpg
The church is the second oldest building on Greenmarket Square after the Old Town House located opposite it. Construction started in 1876 and completed on 12 November 1879{{Cite web |title=Metropolitan Methodist Church details |url=https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=4139 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=artefacts.co.za}} at a cost of £17,700 (equivalent to (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|17700|1879|r=-3}}}} in {{CURRENTISOYEAR}}). The architect was Charles Freeman and the building contractor was Thomas Inglesby.{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=Michael |title=The early architects of Cape Town : and their buildings (1820-1926), with postcard illustrations |publisher=Michael Walker |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-620-55120-5 |location=St. James, South Africa |pages=132 |oclc=829793158}}
Representing high-Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, the basilica-type church features a distinctive lean-to roof and a tower with a spire. It is a listed heritage building with the SAHRA identifier of 9/2/018/0125.