St Thomas Church & Oulap Hall

Anchoring the Village Green, the St Thomas Church complex — the "Klipkerk" and the Oulap Hall (once the penny school) — gives Stanford much of its character. Building of the church began in 1863. It is the only Grade II building (of provincial significance) in the village, and it has been used for worship without a break: during the Group Areas era, the congregation refused to be stopped from worshipping there. The Oulap Hall housed the first school from the 1880s until 1983, where a curtain across the hall divided the two classes.

Stanford Conservation became involved in the upkeep of the complex in 2012. A grant of R88 000 from the Roland and Leta Hill Trust paid for restoring limestone walls that had been poorly patched, re-dressing decaying thatch in places, treating rising damp, painting the interior and improving the lighting.

The Trust later helped again with urgent work: the thatch roofs of the church and the Oulap Hall needed replacing, and the hall interior needed a full overhaul. Stanford Conservation managed the restoration and raised just over R1 million in cash and kind. So far the project has removed problem trees, rethatched the church and the Oulap Hall (Europa Thatchers of Elim), rewired and refurbished the hall as a multi-functional venue, laid a new wooden floor and begun restoring the stonework. A close-out report on the completed phases went to the Archdeacon and Parish Priest in February 2026. From December 2026, St Thomas moves from the Caledon Parish to St Peter's Parish in Hermanus.

Still to raise: about R1.55 million for a Wall of Remembrance, a new toilet block, and boundary walls, lighting and landscaping. Donations are administered by Stanford Conservation (NPO / PBO) and qualify for Section 18A tax certificates. Use the reference "St Thomas" on your EFT — bank details are on the Get involved page.