Old Palapye Church: A Window to Botswana's Past

The Old Palapye Church stands as a striking reminder of a transformative period in Botswana's history. Constructed between 1891 and 1894 by the London Missionary Society (LMS), the Gothic-style church was a central feature of Phalatswe (Old Palapye), the 19th-century capital of the Bangwato people under the leadership of Chief Khama III.Khama III moved his people to Phalatswe in 1889 due to water shortages in Shoshong, transforming the area into a settlement of approximately 30,000 people, including European missionaries and hunters. The church, built from locally quarried red mudbrick, symbolized the intersection of European and Batswana cultures.However, the capital's prosperity was short-lived. Thirteen years later, due to dwindling water supplies, the Bangwato people relocated to Serowe. Before leaving, Khama III ordered the dismantling and torching of the settlement, though the church was spared. In 1938, the site was declared a National Monument, ensuring its protection. Today, the remaining burnt-brick structure offers a powerful glimpse into Botswana's first agro-towns and the interactions between the Batswana and European missionaries.