The Border Historical Society's scheduled talk for February 2024, (in association with the Friends of the East London Museum) will be presented by William Martinson titled 'Tiyo Soga's Mission Church at Mgwali'.

The talk will scrutinise - through the eyes of a heritage architect - Rev. Tiyo Soga's mission church at Mgwali near Stutterheim, built under his guidance in 1862. 

The church - a provincial heritage site - was visited in 2020, detailed dimensions were recorded and it was comprehensively photographed. A measured drawing was then prepared on a drawing board with traditional drawing instruments.

The results of the documentation process will be presented. Some historical references to the context, the siting and building process, the property on which the church was constructed and a brief historical timeline of the construction will be provided. 

The architectural details of the church will be shown as well as some suggested proportioning principles and regulating lines, which were possibly used by the original architect in determining the plan, section, and external elevations.

• Date: Saturday 17 February 2024 at 14:30 
• Venue: Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer Hall at the East London Museum
• Tea and biscuits will be served after the talk
• Gordon Campbell | Secretary | 083 284 6173

Who is William Martinson?

• Graduated from University of the Witwatersrand with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1987 
• Graduated from University of the Witwatersrand with a Master of Architecture (Conservation) in 1989.
• Appointed as architect by the National Monuments Council in 1989.
• Joined Osmond Lange Architects in 1997
• Moved to the East London offices of Osmond Lange in 2006.
• Worked on a variety of heritage projects, including Heritage Impact Assessments and Heritage Management Guidelines.
• Also involved in other architectural projects including industrial, commercial, health and educational.