In 1844 a gathering of Settlers was called to consider how best to observe the Silver Jubilee of the settlement. Rev. William Shaw proposed that a chapel be built, to be called Commemoration Chapel and that the foundation stone be laid on the 10th April 1845 "this being the anniversary of the arrival of the 1st Party of British Settlers".
The foundation stone was duly laid on the correct date by the Lady of the Rev. William Shaw and beneath the stone was a leaden casket containing a complete set of coins and specimens of the languages: English, Dutch, African and Sichuana, used by the Wesleyan Missionaries in South East Africa.
The church was completed in November 1850. Commemoration seats 1200 people, and is often filled to capacity. It holds a unique place in the hearts of Settler descendants throughout South Africa and beyond.
Possessing one of the finest organs in the country, the old Church has also 10 stained glass memorial windows and many tablets to honour the memory of past Ministers and laymen who served there.
The most recent tablet records that in this Church the Inauguration of Rhodes took place on March 10th 1951 and here may be seen the Queens Colours, the old flat of the 1st City Volunteers, laid up at a ceremony on the 17th August 1952.
Upstairs in the gallery are the Rolls of Honour recording the names of men who were killed in the two great World Wars. Here also are the names of thousands of Kingswood boys who, down through the years, have carved their names in the woodwork of the historic old Church.
