St Matthew’s revered as Cathedral of the North

On the right hand side, at the top of the steep rise of Lorne Street is the Anglican Church in antique stone, church of the province and Diocese of Natal.
St. Matthews Anglican Church is newly enlarged with a square tower and has English gothic features inset with a fine collection of stained modern Victorian glass windows, talk about cool!
The first Anglican Church was built in 1872 on the banks of the Little Bushman’s River at the foot of Harding Street.
The first vicar was Reverend George Smith 1872-1879 who joined Chelmford’s Columns in the march into Zululand in 1879.
Rev. Smith served in the Battle of Rorkes Drift and with distinction “Ammunition Smith” he was then an Honorary Queen’s chaplain.
Thereafter he returned to England to serve in the British Army.
Then returning to South Africa August 1838 he donated 10.12 hectares of land for the Native Mission on which the present church is built.
After doing so he moved to Harrismith where he then died.
The Rev. Kenneth Mercury Bishop of Maritzburg dedicated the Saint Matthews Church on November 9, 1882.
St. Matthew’s is a notable example of Estcourt’s public buildings in the fine stone locally available.
It is extolled by its admirers as the ‘Cathedral of the North.’