About St Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church
Established by German immigrants in 1861, St Martini is the first German Lutheran Synod in South Africa. It was built when the Lutheran Church split and a new church, called St Martini the Evangelical Lutheran Church, was erected in Long Street, where it still stands today.
Did you know? St Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church is at 24 Long Street, in the centre of Cape Town. It also runs a German kindergarten and preschool from the premises.
St Martini's heavily influenced the architecture and building of other Lutheran churches in the Cape, like those in Bellville, Wynberg, Paarl, Philippi and Stellenbosch.
There is a lovely story accompanying the church bells. Originally St Martini had three bells, made by the Friedrich Gruhl foundry in Germany, and shipped to Cape Town (the church was still supervised by the Royal Regional Consistory of Hanover, in Germany at the time).
Only two of the three original bells made for the church survive today. One is called Luther and is the Gebetsglocke, or prayer bell. The smaller Gruhl bell is called Franziska, the Taufglocke, or baptism bell. Both are decorated with the angels synonymous with the foundry.
The bell-making Gruhl foundry was a family-run business in Kleinwelka, Bautzen, in what is today the former East Germany. It made between 1 700 and 2 000 church bells whilst it ran, between 1803 and 1896.
Most of these were destroyed during the two World Wars, but South Africa's bells survived.
Another two Gruhl bells grace the Moravian Church in Genadendal, just outside Greyton, each of which is embellished with four carved heads of angels, a trade mark of the founders. The Moravian missions at Mamre and Enon also each have a Gruhl bell.
Stellenbosch's Dutch Reformed Church had three Gruhl bells. But these were replaced in 1986 and now two of them hang in a bell tower on a farm in Riviersonderend.
The Dom St Petri (St Peter's Cathedral), one of the most important churches in Saxony, lies in Bautzen's old city, directly opposite the Town Hall. It has five Gruhl bells.
Need to Know
WhereSt Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church, 240 Long Street, Cape Town Central, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
WhenPlease enquire.
Telephone+27 (0)21 423-2720
OvernightStay in Cape Town Accommodation, Western Cape
Disclaimer
Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.
Feedback?
If this is your attraction, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.
Additional Reading
You might also be interested inAttractions near Cape Town Central
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options in Cape Town

Bonani B&B
Bonani B&B is located in Thornton, Cape Town and is renowned for its friendly and warm hospitality. The accommodation is centrally located making...

Kaya La Provence
Kaya La Provence offers accommodation in Plumstead. Choose from the two bed & breakfast rooms in the main house or the self catering cottage in t...

Oceana Palms Luxury Guesthouse
Nestled beside the Hottentots Holland Mountains and overlooking False Bay, Oceana Palms Guesthouse offers guests comfortable accommodation in a s...

Roodenburg House 1882
This lovely old house exudes hospitality and offers a warm, welcoming 'home from home' experience. A comfortable lounge area opens onto the swimm...

Jasmine Apartment
Jasmine Apartment offers holiday accommodation in Walmer Estate, Cape Town. Here you can enjoy a home way from home in an ideal location close to...

Calders Hotel
Calders Hotel is perfectly positioned along the Cape Point Tourist Route. The hotel offers 26 luxuriously appointed en-suite rooms with breathtak...

Welgelegen Boutique Guest House
Welgelegen Boutique Guest House offers accommodation in a tranquil and quiet corner of Oranjezicht in two Victorian houses - just a short walk fr...

Dreamhouse Guest House
Majestically perched above the Hout Bay Valley in Cape Town, Dreamhouse Guest House is a calm oasis from which to enjoy your stay in Cape Town. E...

Small Bay Guest House
Small Bay Guest House is located in Bloubergstrand and offers comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. Here guests are able to enjoy the ...
Things to do in the area

Helicopter Flights With Extreme Scene
Take a tour via Helicopter over Cape Town and the Peninsula. Get a birds eye view of the Cape on this fun and popular Helicopter Tour. Various tr...

Cape Town Free Walking Tours
Most major cities around the world offer city walking tours, and the Mother City is no exception. Cape Town Free Walking Tours makes the city wal...

Ski-Hi Ride
Did you know that the odd adrenaline rush has some amazing health benefits? It helps you to breathe easier, it’s a great pain-blocker, it boosts ...

Attend a Parliamentary Session
The city of Cape Town, despite not being the capital of South Africa, is home to South Africa’s Parliament (Cape Town is the legislative capital)...

Bathe at Long Street Baths
In the centre of Long Street, Cape Town, facing the Long Street Bath's heritage doors, look to the right for a view of Table Mountain, look to th...

Be Cool at Daddy Cools
The Grand Daddy’s hotel bar is the ‘blingest’ in Cape Town. It’s not just a cool bar, it’s a Daddy Cool bar! A palette of metallics and a roll-ca...

Carriage Tour of Cape Town
Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring The Cape Town Business District and the Company’s Garden in style and allows a more...

Diamond Cutting Tours
The Diamond Works is a one-stop, exciting experience for tourists, both young and old. Situated on the ground floor of the Metropolitan Life Cent...

Dine at Addis
Addis in Cape provides you with an inviting ambience and a unique dining experience right in the heart of the city of Cape Town. With its talente...
Accommodation convenient to St Martini Evangelical Lutheran Church
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation