Moffat Mission Station

About Moffat Mission Station

In the early part of the 19th century, British settlers flocked to South Africa, establishing mission stations and homes all around the country. The Kuruman Moffat Mission is in Seodin, just outside of the town of Kuruman, which is a particularly scenic little town in the province of the Northern Cape.

This facility was established by a missionary from London in 1816 at New Lattakoo. Then, in 1824, it was moved to its present location, officially founded by three missionaries, one of whom was Robert Moffat. Moffat learned Setswana, the language of the local inhabitants of the Northern Cape, and then translated the entire Bible into this tongue by 1857. This allowed the Christian message to be spread amongst the local inhabitants far faster and easier, as it was the first time that the Bible appeared in an African language. Moffat used his own printing press to produce these Bibles.

The Moffat Mission comprises the original homestead, the foundations for a schoolroom (dating back to 1829) and the Moffat Church, which was completed in 1838 and can seat an impressive 800 people. In addition to these main buildings, there are also a few other old buildings and remains that lend the mission a fantastic historical value and an undeniable old-world allure. These include a sundial, an old ox wagon and a bronze relief of Robert Moffat. The original press that he used for the Bibles has been preserved and is on display here too.

Since the mission's revamp, a conference room for intimate events has been added. There is also a little bookshop and library, which continues to serve those who are studying theology. The Maphakela Centre at the mission offers accommodation for those making use of the meeting facilities, a hall, a small conference room, a kitchen and a dining room.

A small entrance fee can be paid at the bookshop.