The church was completed in 1862, for the astronomical amount at the time of £ 17,000. The imposing steeple is built in an unusual (for NG Kerke, at least) Norman-style, and dominates the town’s skyline.

During the Anglo-Boer War (1899 – 1902), the British forces defending Adelaide at the time commandeered the well-built Dutch Reformed church for their headquarters and barracks, making use of the 30m high tower as a gun emplacement. The congregants of the church were not very happy. Once the war was over and the British troops had left, the Dutch Reformed community set about trying to restore the damage done to the interior of their church. There was little money available and their donation drive did not yield enough for the refurbishment of the pews and pulpit.
Three months later, however, they were astounded when two wagons entered the town of Adelaide laden with finely cut oak timber. The townsfolk assumed that the British had sent this by way of compensation and as an apology for the damage the troops had caused. They set about masterfully and lovingly carving the splendid pulpit and a set of pews and within a few months, the church and rectory were fully restored – all was well.

A few years later, with the project long completed and the church in full service, a furtive inquiry arrived from Adelaide in Australia to ascertain if anyone had perhaps spotted a fairly substantial shipment of rather expensive wood lying about. Turns out the wood was destined for a church in Adelaide, Australia.