(Note by Tony: That would be Mr Heinrich Ueckermann donating the stand)
Before this time apparently no Anglican services had been conducted here, but on July 20th 1868, the Kerk-raad of the Hervormde kerk passed a resolution empowering Ds. van Warmelo to baptise the children of English residents who did not speak Dutch, in English if required to do so.
Two years after Bishop Wilkinsons visit, the Rev. George Sharley, the builder of the first English Church in Pretoria recorded in his diary on Jan 7, 1874;-
“Visited Heidelberg.... visited McLaren, Pagan, Ueckermann, Redpath, Marais and Laurie with several others.... Held divine service at 7.30 p.m. in the school-room. Good attendance and hearty service. The people requested me to try and go over there to conduct services frequently. Oh! For a good, active, willing fellow-worker. The room was prepared by Redpath and Laurie. Miss Ueckermann played the harmonium.”

 

(Note by Tony: The church still has a Harmonium (Pedal Organ). Possibly the same one that Miss Ueckermann played). Nearly two years later (Nov. 13, 1875) there is another record of a visit to Heidelberg when Sharley writes:- “In the evening held Service. Congregation small. but very attentive, and though unaccustomed to the Church of England service, everyone seemed to take hearty interest, and did his best to join in the responses.”

On the arrival of Bishop Bousfield in Pretoria in 1879, “his first journey was to Heidelberg” and for the next few years the only Anglican services were those conducted by him when he visited the place from time to time. During these visits he constantly urged the need of a Church building, and in July 1882 he had the satisfaction of laying the foundation stone of the present Church.

At the Synod held in Pretoria in 1883 the Rev. Alfred Roberts “was appointed as a member of the Cathedral staff who could visit in turn the chapelries of Heidelberg, Standerton, Middelburg and Thorndale, giving each a monthly service.” During this period the building of the Church continued under the direction of the Church-wardens (Messrs. Graham and Noyce), but, owing to lack of funds, the outer shell of the building was not completed until 1885, after Rev. Roberts had been transferred to Lydenburg. (Note by Tony: Rev Alfred Roberts was the father of Austin Roberts, the famous birder and of Noal Roberts who was later the minister of this Church).

In the meanwhile an unattached Anglican priest (Mr. iliff) had settled in Heidelberg and opened a day-school for English-speaking children, and he undertook to conduct services on Sundays. Services were also conducted from time to time by the Rev. Charles Clulee and the Tev. C. Maber. (Note by Tony: I discovered his broken head stone in the Heidelberg Kloof Cemetery) 

On January 1. 1888 the Rev. Frank Dowling was appointed as the first Rector of Heidelberg, and opened a day-school for children in the Church. He set to work to raise funds for wiping out the Building Debt, and in his charge to Synod in 1890 the Bishop announced that “at Heidelberg the Church has been freed from Debt, and will, I hope, soon be free for consecration”. He refused to consecrate the Church, however, as long as the building was being used as a secular day-school, but, as soon as accommodation was provided elsewhere this was done and the Church was dedicated on Nov. 8 1890 in the name of St. Ninian, the “apostle of the Picts” and the builder of the first stone church in Britain.

There are several fine stained-glass windows in the Church. The one representing St. Ninian was ordered by Dr. Nixon to be erected in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee. When the parcel arrived it was found that the wrong window had been sent, but it was eventually decided to keep it, and it was placed in the North side of the sanctuary. Later it was found that the window ordered had been sent to China, and after some months it arrived in Heidelberg. It was therefore placed on the South side of the Sanctuary.

 

The window with two representations of St. George and the Dragon was also due to Dr. Nixon, who devoted a sum of money which had been apportioned to him by his fellow-officers as prize money, augmented by subscriptions he collected from leading citizens of the town for this purpose.
One of the glass stained windows was donated by Dr. O’Reilly. The Rectory was built for the Rev. H.J. Organ in 1896. After the Anglo-Boer war a Depot of the S. African Constabulary was established at Heidelberg, and the need of accommodation for meetings, social gatherings and entertainment was so great that a Parish Hall was built by the then Rector – the Rev. C.W. Hawker – in 1903-1904.
The porch was added to the Church in memory of the work of Rev. R.A.H. Urquhart.
(Source: “The Story of Heidelberg” written by Rev. Noel Roberts who was the minister of “St Ninians” in 1934 - 1938)

During the 2nd Anglo-Boer war, the church was mainly used by other British troops while they were staying in Heidelberg. The Church was known as the soldier’s church. Troops camped nearby were allowed to attend service’s on Sunday. Private Tucker wrote in his diary:- “12th August 1900: Sunday evening we were permitted, with a pass signed by the Company Officer, to go to Church in town. I went and quite enjoyed the service. It was like being at home”.

A brass plaque and stained-glass window was erected to the memory of Major JM Vallentin, who died during the Anglo-Boer War, by his men and officers. Major Vallentin was the commanding officer of Vallentin’s Heidelberg Volunteers and Dr Nixon replaced him when he was killed. He was killed in battle on the 4th May 1902 at Onverwacht, 32km east of Ermelo.

The Church Hall used as a lecture room for the Heidelberg teachers college between 1912-1914, before the college was built, where the Heidelberg Army Gymnasium is now.  
The present minister of St Ninians is Revd. Colleen Claudette Winter, being the first woman priest of the Church.  She resides in Nigel and also conducts services at “Christ the King” Anglican Church in Nigel, as well as “St Cyprians”, Alra Park and “St Mary the virgin” in Dunnottar. These four churches work together as a cluster. Revd. Votile Mapipa joined in 2016 and is priest in charge over the cluster.

Summary of Noel Roberts Autobiography by Tony Burisch
1. Noel Roberts was born on the 14th of October 1880, just before the first Anglo Boer War in Pretoria.
His father Alfred Roberts was the first Bishop in Pretoria in 1877. Alfred was born in Oswestry, Shropshire on the 27th November 1853.  He apprenticed to be a boot maker. His eldest brother, John, did not approve of him becoming a missionary.  Alfred was also physically strong. Fannin – Thomas Fannin of Dublin.  He left for South Africa on the Conway Castle in June of 1845 which took three months.  He was commissioned to open a copper mine in Namaqualand, which was eventually abandoned. Edwardine, “Edda”, was born in 1844 in Liverpool.  In 1847 she sailed to Durban on the “Flora”.  The family was transported to Maritzburg by Dick King, which took six days from Durban.  They lived on the farm “The Dargle” on the banks of the Umgeni River.  The eldest son, Tom, qualified as a surveyor, who laid out the town of Heidelberg. Eida married the Rev. Jacobs, vicar of Karkloof Parish.  She returned to England with her husband Rev. Jacobs until he died in 1874.  After her husband’s death she returned to Karkloof  in 1878 and in 1887 she accompanied Bishop Bousfield to Pretoria.  She became the music and art teacher to the Girls School in Pretoria.

2. Alfred and Eida married a few months before Noel was born in October 1880.  In 1885 his father was sent to Lydenberg.  There were no railways and had to travel by Ox Wagon.  It was here that Noel’s interest in natural science began.  His father was responsible for services at Pilgrims Rest, Barberton and Mac Mac. 
On one occasion they traveled to Natal, to visit family at Karkloof Gorge. Enroute they camped at Majuba.  There were no bridges and the wagon bogged down often.  While sleeping in the wagon, at Majuba, the wagon rolled downhill, but luckily stopped.  The natives believed the area to be cursed.  From Newcastle they continued by train.  After three months they returned to Lydenburg. They took the train to Charlestown, then the mail coach via Lake Chrissie. Father was then transferred to Potchefstroom arriving on the 31st October 1891.  While in Potchefstroom, Noel met President Martinus Wessels Pretorius.  He also met Tom Ayres a veteran naturalist.  Noel learnt the science of taxidermy, skinning birds, blowing eggs and the setting of butterflies.  He became an expert trapper, fisherman and hunter.  He kept wild birds and animals as pets.  His parents drew the line, when he brought home a live Rinkhals. Noel was also a witness to the burghers coming back to Potchefstroom after the Jamieson raid. Noel left Potchefstroom for Pretoria on the 27th January 1897, to become a schoolmaster at the age of 16 years.  His ambition was to be a missionary, but his father could not afford to send him to college.  He was taken in as a pupil-teacher at the Diocesan College School, with free board and lodging, at 1 pound and 10 shillings a month and would be coached for the Cape Matric.
He found it a terribly hard life and there was little time for private study.  He bought a cheap camera in the interest of using it to record natural science.  Just before the start of the 2nd Anglo Boer War, he met his mother and brother at Elandsfontein and took a train to Ladysmith.

5. 1899-1901. Noel spent a few days with an uncle in Ladysmith.  He and his brother, Austen, explored the surrounding country and river.  This marked the beginning of Austin’s interest in Ornithology. Noel took photos of the British troops preparing for war and saw General Pen-Symons who died a few days later.
On the 18th and 19th of October he took the train to Howick, leaving his mother behind in Ladysmith.  Luckily she left before the town was besieged by the Boers. Noel visited his uncle, John Methley, in Karkloof, a couple of days and then his uncle and godfather Meredith Fannin at Kilgobbin.  It was here that he was introduced to the bush of forest life.  He was invited to stay as long as he wanted. He was invited to play tennis at Willie Sutton’s, at Everdon, on the way to Howick. It was here that he met Kathleen Turvin.  She was the governess to the Sutton children.He once visited the farm of his cousin, Evelyn Fannin, at Molissimo, who had a wattle farm in Umvoti County.  There were hundreds of acres of wattle planted for the tannin.  There were two gangs of labourers – Zulus and indentured Indians. It was on this farm, while hunting for Guinea fowl, Noel encountered the biggest Puff Adder he had ever seen.  The snake had bit his dog which died.  Noel blew its head off with a shotgun. After Ladysmith was relieved, Noel visited the town.  He was present at the consecration of the cemetery at Chieveley, where Lt.  Roberts V.C. was buried. After returning, he was invited, by the Sutton’s, on an ox-wagon trip to Umhlali, where his friendship with Kathleen grew and he fell in love. Permits were obtained for Noel, his brother and mother to return to Potchefstroom.

6.  The permit was wangled by his father, as he stated that he needed help in Potchefstroom.  The train took them to Johannesburg and then another to Potchefstroom.  Potchefstroom was in a state of siege and a curfew was imposed at night. Otherwise the town went on as usual. Noel obtained a bursary and in January 1903 left for England.  He took up residence in the Theological College at Canterbury.  During the voyage, he was ill and arrived very weak.  He was appointed a senior student and was responsible, as a medium between the students and the warden.  He hired a bicycle and explored the countryside with a light tent, eventually buying his own bicycle. Kathleen’s father died soon after Noel went to Canterbury and she, with her mother and sister went to California to visit a brother.  A year later, on their way back, they took lodgings at Sturrey, 2 miles from Canterbury. Noel visited and they became engaged.  A fortnight later she took ill and it was discovered that she had contracted TB in California. Noel was not good in his exams and had to stay an extra year. Noel was ordained on the 23rd December 1906, as a deacon in St Alban’s Cathedral, Pretoria, where he had been baptized 26 years before.

7. 1906-1912 Noel was appointed as curate on the cathedral staff.  On his off days, he rode into the country collecting butterflies and similar pursuits.  He often spent time at the zoo and museum.  He formed a field club which developed into the Pretoria Biological Society and he still had to study for his priests orders.  
He also dabbled in hypnotism.  He hypnotised a friend, Minnie Russell and asked her questions about a book in the next room.  She answered the title of the book, but could not answer from other pages.
Noel was ordained a priest on the 21st of December, 1908 and moved to Gezina.  On the 14th of April, 1909 he married Kathleen.  Her health had improved considerably. Shortly after their marriage, Noel bought a small wagonette, pulled by two donkeys, which he converted into a caravan and used it for short trips into the country. 

 

8. 1912-1915.  In July 1912 they were transferred to Pietersburg.  As he had a month leave, he consigned his furniture by rail and travelled slowly up to Pietersburg.  He was formally inducted in Pietersburg on the 6th of August 1912.  There was no running water and electricity.  He established the first Pietersburg scouts along Baden Powell lines. He was very interested in the local native customs.  He met the servant who “threw the bones”, that was made from incised ivory tablets.  He met Malaboch, who had his magic drums (The Dikowana), carried off by the Boers in 1894 and could not practice his rites.  For two years he asked around for someone to make his drums. It was difficult, as the one who makes them, must die.  He also heard the story of the L-itja-pila, a poisonous snake with horns, that cries like a goat. Noal also visited the caves of Sekukuniland, where there were many Bushman paintings. Mr Winter, the German missionary, was a treasure trove of information and Noel heard about the native circumcision rights from his servant.

9. 1912-1917.  Orchards. Noel and Kathleen then moved to Orchards, a northern suburb of Johannesburg, where he became the minister of the St Luke’s Parish.  He also joined the “Sons of England Society”.  With much resentment from the congregation, he abolished raffling in the church, as it was a form of gambling.  They still continued behind his back, but stopped, when he said he would resign. In 1916 he was appointed Lodge representative of the Sons of England Society.  He had the job of breaking the sad news to the families, of the men who died in the war.  He enlisted in the army, and was sent to Graaf Rienet on a recruiting mission, as he spoke Afrikaans.  He failed to enlist a single recruit.  He was commissioned as a Draft Officer and sent to England.  He was a Chaplin to the South African forces.  He saw action in France while helping the wounded.  Chaplains as a rule did not accompany the men into action. Noel went with to inspire the men and attached himself to a company of stretcher bearers.  He obtained a flesh wound. 

11.  He was well liked and visited the men in the trenches with cigarettes.  He felt it was his duty to speak on the question of immorality and drunkenness, which the Colonel told the men to ignore.  He was appointed honorary official photographer to the brigade.

13.  He was awarded the military cross for his efforts in the war.

14. 1919 – 1925. Noel travelled back to South Africa on the Edouard Woermann, a German ship that had surrendered.  He was gone for two years.  He arrived in Cape Town quite sick.  When arriving home, he was expected to preach straight away.  He put the theory into place that every man, woman and child, who claimed membership in the church, have a role to play in the church.

a) Personal religion – private prayer and study.
b) Corporate responsibility – attend Sunday Service and Bible study.
c) Allotted to specific work to do in the church.
In 1924 he was elected the Grand President of the S.O.E.S.  He built a caravan on a Ford ton truck chassis, which he used with Kathleen to travel to all the grand Lodge’s of South Africa and Rhodesia.  He had six months’ leave.  Originally the S.O.E.S. did not allow catholic members.  Other Lodges were political and he had to keep the peace, deal with incompetent treasurers and settle disputes.  He felt his time with the SOES was fruitless, as it did not bring souls to Christ.  He enjoyed the travelling and meeting the men.  He visited the Zimbabwe ruins and Victoria Falls.

15. Potchefstroom. 1925 – 1929. Noel was transferred to Potchefstroom in 1925.  He noticed that the town had changed since his father was the minister and he was a child.  He found the people quarrelsome and divided into cliques based on political and religious grounds.  During his six month leave in 1929, they toured the Kruger National Park in their “Peregrine Caravan”.

16.  He now had a wireless transmitter and receiver, and sent out test messages every day.  They stopped off in Lydenburg and camped in the yard of the church where his father used to be minister. They camped in the Kruger Park, which did not have fences in those days.  They met ranger Wolhuter, who had killed a lion with his sheath knife.  Colonel Stevenson Hamilton also paid them a visit and they were invited twice for a meal at his house. Special permission was granted to them to camp anywhere in the park.  They woke one morning with lion tracks around the vehicle.  While taking photos he came quite close to the Lions.
The truck broke down a couple of times and they were able to order the parts by radio.  The truck was slow up hills and once on top they had to let the engine cool.  They returned to Potchefstroom on the 31st December 1929 after travelling 2 198 miles.

17. Lichtenburg 1930 – 1934. Noel witness the great run where miners had to run a race to claim their mining stakes.  The township of wood and iron buildings had sprung up.  A bioscope, dancing hall and Merry go round catered for the amusement of the crowds.  The police were present and only runners that had a diggers licence were allowed to race.  8000 men took part with the starting line 3 miles long. A motor car picked up one of the runners, but was arrested for cheating.  Hundreds of men made their fortune, but thousands were reduced to starvation and beggary. Noel was sent to Lichtenburg in January 1930, to find that the church had been built.  As there were no rectory a house was rented.  By now the prosperity of the town was waning.  A rectory was built, but when Noel left, it was rented out. There was an episode that a homeless man, Noel was helping, committed suicide in his caravan and on another occasion his car was stolen from his garage.

18.  Heidelberg 1934 – 1938.  Heidelberg was established by Heinrich Ueckermann, who built the shop in 1860.  In 1865, Noel’s uncle laid out the town, but two weeks later he died. The history of the Anglican Church, in Heidelberg, dates back to 1872 when Bishop Wilkinson of Zululand visited Heidelberg.  Mr. Ueckermann donated a piece of ground for a place of worship.  Two years later, on the 7th of January 1874, Rev.  George Sharley (builder of the first English church in Pretoria) held a divine service in a schoolroom, which was well attended. In 1879, Bishop Bousfield of Pretoria conducted services from time to time in Heidelberg.  He urged that a church be built and in July of 1882, he laid the foundation stone of the present church.  In 1883 Noel Robert’s father was appointed to do services once a month.  Owing to the lack of funds the outer shell was only completed in 1885. On the 1st of January 1886, Rev. Frank Dowling was appointed the first Rector.  He opened a day school and raised funds for the completion of the church building.  The church was dedicated to “St Ninian”, the apostle of the Picts and the builder of the first stone church in Britain.
In 1934, Heidelberg was a boom in the town, with the price of gold improving and closed mines reopening.  The new township of Jameson Park was laid out.  A train line was built linking Heidelberg to springs, with a station in Nigel.

In addition to the weekly services at St Ninian’s, Noel also conducted monthly services at St. Giles church in Balfour and halls at Greylingstad and Grootvlei.  The roads were all dirt and were a nightmare after rain. Kathleen’s health deteriorated and Noel often had to visit his ageing parents in Johannesburg.
In 1936, Kathleen was sent to Springkell Sanatorium, near Modderfontein. Noel would camp in the grounds when visiting his wife.  After a trip to Natal, Kathleen had improved and was taken back to Heidelberg and Noel employed a nurse.

On taking his leave, he visited Zululand and Kathleen’s relations.  While there he received a telegram that his father had a stroke.  He raced back to Heidelberg and learnt that his father had died the previous night.
As Kathleen was too ill to have her mother in law in the house as well, Noel employed a nurse to look after his mother in her own home, in Pretoria.  She was 93 years old.

On June 18th 1938, Kathleen passed to her long rest.  Her body was cremated and put in a niche at St. Luke’s Church, Orchards.  They were married for 27 years.  His mother then came to Heidelberg, who died four months later.  In one year Noel had lost three members of his family.  The physical and emotional strain took its toll and he asked to be relieved.  He also found that the position in Heidelberg was uncomfortable with the Second World War breaking.  It was a hotbed of anti British intrigue and half the congregation were German and pro Hitler.

The Bishop arrange for Noel to go to Booysen’s, on all saints day, in 1939.
(Noel’s biography ends here.  I don’t know how long he was a minister in Booysen’s.  From his death notice, I gather that he remarried a Dora Roberts in Johannesburg and retired to Anerley, in the district of Port Shepstone, where Dora died in 1955.
Noel then returned to Johannesburg and died on the 13th January 1960, at No. 138 8th Street, Highlands North, Johannesburg, aged 79 years and 3 months. His ashes were placed next to Kathleen at St. Luke’s Church)