Smallest Church in the World

This is the SMALLEST church in the world! It is the smallest Catholic Church and located near Ladysmith, South Africa.

More history on the church:
Full Article on The Heritage Portal

On 19 March 1925, there was a rockfall at Burnside Colliery coal mine, leading to a number of miners being trapped underground. Llandaff Matthews, was employed as a shift boss on this mine. As soon as news of the disaster spread, Matthews organised some men on the mine to go underground to save survivors and recover bodies, as there was no formal Mine Rescue Service at the time. The men Llandaff led underground managed to save eight men. As he went into the shaft one last time there was a second rockfall. He was buried under the rock and died before he could be saved. His body was never recovered.

His father wanted to create a plaque in his honour to commemorate his act of bravery. As a devout Catholic, he requested the Catholic Church in Ladysmith (closeby) to allow a plaque to be placed in the church, in memory of his son. They refused his request.

Determined that his son should not be forgotten, he returned to the mountains and built this beautiful tiny church at Van Reenen. The church only seats 8 people, one for each of the men his son saved. It is considered to be the only privately-owned Catholic Church in the world.

The church was declared a national monument on 28 October 1983 and is now registered as a provincial heritage site.

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[jacoolckers]

That Church is really beautiful. Have been there myself back in 2006.

[soloessentials_]

We used to make it our halfway holiday stop every year growing up. I love that church and tea garden

[AEGIPAN]

I would often stay there
In the tiny yard there
I have been so glad here
Looking forward to the past here

[kwkw]

The Little Chapel on Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, is one of the world's smallest chapels, measuring just 16ft by 9ft.

[DivandBenny]

It actually looks a lot bigger inside than I was expecting 😂

[cabledad]

There's one in Meridian, CA that's much smaller.

[WhiskeyRichard.]

There's no mic on the podium. How is the parish supposed to hear all the good news out the pulpit!?

[CKJETCHANNEL]

wonderful Church, but real church is ourselves my friend :) have a blessed day

[loriwagner]

Not the smallest. Look it up. Many others.

[vintagemintage]

Wow its so small and cute has it got a bell.🙂💒

[robertbralic]

There is a smaller church, so this is not the one