Some time ago we described the arrival of Reverend Shaw here in 1820. That was happening after the Fourth Frontier War (1811-1812) when the Xhosa were driven out of the Zuurveld.
Some time ago we described the arrival of Reverend Shaw here in 1820. That was happening after the Fourth Frontier War (1811-1812) when the Xhosa were driven out of the Zuurveld.
During that time, people's homes were destroyed and their crops destroyed. In just two decades the Sixth Frontier War was to occur, along with its atrocities.
Apparently the Methodists were able to capitalise on their early start, because over the years they have always had larger numbers of followers. This is borne out by these figures:
Methodists 22.6%
Anglicans 8.6%
Roman Catholics 3.9%
Presbyterians 3.6%
Lutheran 1.6%
Congregational 0.9%
Time was to lapse before the Anglicans came on to the scene. They did so after the arrival of Bishop Robert Gray in Cape Town in 1848.
The first priest the black Anglicans were to get was Reverend Turpin, who came from England.
It is said that his arrival was keenly awaited. Apparently he was keen to learn Xhosa (maybe too keen). On his arrival he learned that in Xhosa when you say “he arrived yesterday”, you say “ufikizolo”. Even after a month, he was still saying “ufikizolo”. He was given that name – 'Fikizolo' – and people speak well of him.
Fikizolo was apparently an energetic man.
Gradually Anglicanism established itself here and St Philip's was built in 1860.
It is known that Fikizolo also played an important role in the formation of the first rugby team here, Winter Rose. The records of the beginning of the 20th century mention him often. He appears in the baptismal records of the 1860s. These records require one’s name as well as one’s “Christian name”.
That is why many of these congregants have English names. It was not a matter of choice.
