Eastern Cape, EAST LONDON district, Ncera, Methodist Church Cemetery

Cemetery information:- Situated in the Kayser’s Beach Area, Eastern Cape, South Africa the church was built in 1862 to serve the needs of the settlers who made this part of the country their home. The church was built by the farmers of the area between the Keiskamma River in the west and the Buffalo River in the east. Frederick R Goddard, donated ten acres of his land for the church. Church records of 1862 describe the event as follows: At the Ncera about 30 miles distant from King William’s Town an elegant and substantial chapel has been opened during the year. The chapel is capable of seating about 150 persons. In addition to the church a wood and iron schoolroom was built around the same time which was also used as a church hall. It was demolished and sold when the circuit was disbanded. A substantial manse was built in 1905 close to the church. This too was demolished and sold in 1952. Foundations to the left of the church still exist. The first baptism is believed to have been that of Catharine, daughter of Dennis and Maria Leary on March 27, 1862. The baptism was performed by Rev. E.D. Hepburn. Richard William Forrester and Charlotte Eliza Wakeford were the first to be married on 7 January 1863. The first burial was that of Joshua Christopher Dredge who died on 9th February 1862. William Dredge, John Forrester, Thomas Shone and his daughter Sarah Knight, all 1820 Settlers are buried in the graveyard as are a number of their descendants. (source: https://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/short-history-ncera-methodist-church) Album incomplete. eGGSA captions done by: Richard Seddon, Gail Röthlin, Lorraine Beechey & Fern Swales Information also available on the GGSA Cemetery DVD:- Cemetery ID: 1523 Names in cemetery: 124 Google Earth Project Information:- GPSID: 1615 GPS: -33 04.292, 27 36.785