Southwell, Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Minster) Chapter House. This is where Southwell in the Eastern Cape got its name. The earliest church on the site is believed to have been founded in 627. The Norman chancel was replaced with another in the Early English style in 1234 because it was too small, and the octagonal chapter house dates from the late 13th century. Southwell is where Charles I was captured during the English Civil War; the fighting saw the church seriously damaged and the nave is said to have been used as stabling. The minster was restored to its present glory during the second half of the 19th century but at the time of the settlers the church would have been a lot more basic with parts still in disrepair. Formerly a parish church, the minster achieved cathedral status in 1884. Benjamin KEETON was baptised here and his parents were married in the church. Two children of Thomas NELSON and Mary Ann CORDIN were also baptised here. George HOOK (aka George SANSOM) and Dorothy FLOYD were married here, as were William SINGLETON and Mary HARDY.
Photo by Sue Mackay.