| Central Methodist Church | |
| Other Name: | Central Methodist Mission |
| Coordinates: | -33.9228°N 18.4195°W |
| Location: | Burg Street, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Denomination: | Methodist |
| Status: | Church |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Heritage Designation: | SAHRA identifier 9/2/018/0125 |
| Architect: | Charles A.S. Freeman |
| Style: | Decorated Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking: | 1876 |
| Completed Date: | 12 November 1879 |
| Construction Cost: | £17,700 (£ in) |
| Minister: | Alan Storey |
The Central Methodist Church, also known as the Central Methodist Mission or Metropolitan Methodist Church, is a large and historically important Methodist church located on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town, South Africa. The church has played a significant role in the growth of Methodism in South Africa. In 1988, the Metropolitan Church merged with Buitenkant Street Church, forming the Central Methodist Mission.[1]
The church is known for its active advocacy efforts[2] such as its yellow banner campaign that seeks to rise awareness of important social issues and as a site of refuge.[3] The church windows were damaged by police water cannons during the anti-apartheid Purple Rain protest in 1989. In October 2019 the church was a refuge site for protesting refugees during the Greenmarket Square refugee sit-in.[4]
The church is the second oldest building on Greenmarket Square after the Old Town House located opposite it. Construction started in 1876 and completed on 12 November 1879[5] at a cost of £17,700 (equivalent to (£ in). The architect was Charles Freeman and the building contractor was Thomas Inglesby.[6]
Representing high-Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, the basilica-type church features a distinctive lean-to roof and a tower with a spire. It is a listed heritage building with the SAHRA identifier of 9/2/018/0125.