Today in Kimberley's History
March 13th
"Every day has a story about Kimberley's past."
On this day...
On 13 March 1902, the Archdeacon of Kimberley, the Venerable William Arthur Holbech, left the Diamond City to become Dean of Bloemfontein. During his years in Kimberley, he guided the Anglican community through one of the city's darkest periods—the Siege of Kimberley—and helped shape the early history of St Cyprian's Church, now one of South Africa's finest Anglican cathedrals.
1902 – Archdeacon William Holbech Departs Kimberley
On 13 March 1902, William Arthur Holbech, Archdeacon of Kimberley and Rector of St Cyprian's Church, departed Kimberley after accepting his appointment as Dean of Bloemfontein.
Born in England on 14 December 1850, Holbech was educated at Eton College and Brasenose College, Oxford, before being ordained as an Anglican priest in 1874. After serving as a curate at St Mark's Church, Lakenham, he travelled to South Africa as a missionary before being appointed to Kimberley, where he became one of the city's most respected church leaders.
During his years in Kimberley, Holbech ministered to a rapidly growing community shaped by the diamond industry. His greatest challenge came during the Siege of Kimberley (1899–1900), when the city endured 124 days of isolation, shelling and severe shortages
(Photo Public Domain)
Throughout the siege, Holbech provided pastoral care to residents and officiated at the funerals of many Anglicans who lost their lives during the bombardment and privations. His ministry brought comfort to families during one of the most difficult chapters in Kimberley's history. Shortly before the end of the Anglo-Boer War, Holbech accepted his appointment as Dean of Bloemfontein, leaving Kimberley after many years of dedicated service. In 1905, he was appointed Bishop of St Helena, a position he held until his retirement. He died in England on 7 March 1930, aged 79.
Today, Holbech's legacy lives on through St Cyprian's Cathedral, one of Kimberley's architectural and spiritual landmarks. The church where he served as Rector was later elevated to cathedral status and remains one of the city's most important heritage buildings.
Did You Know?
Although William Holbech served at St Cyprian's when it was still a parish church, it later became St Cyprian's Cathedral—the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman and one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in South Africa.
St Cyprian's Cathedral today
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Kimberley's Story Continues
Kimberley's history is not only found in its mines and monuments but also in the people who cared for its communities during times of prosperity and hardship. William Holbech's quiet leadership during the Siege of Kimberley remains an enduring part of the city's story. Join us tomorrow as we continue exploring another fascinating chapter in Kimberley's remarkable past.
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