Church of the Good Shepherd, Robben Island

Church of the Good Shepherd, Robben Island

A key, yet often forgotten part of Robben Island's history is its use as a general infirmary for the severely ill, primarily people suffering from leprosy and insanity (as it was referred to at the time). Numerous churches of different denominations were constructed during this time, including this one built by patients of the island, as designed by architect Sir Herbert Baker. Leprosy was deemed to be a 'black disease', and while both black and white patients were admitted on the island, they were segregated by race - even when not being used as a political prison, racism was still prevelant on the island. In the 1930s, after all leprosy patients had been removed from the island back to the mainland, all the wards were burnt down and destroyed over concerns that the disease remained in the buildings and would spread. This means that this church, and the graveyard surrounding it containing the graves of leprosy patients who died, are the main remains marking this era of the island.

is51102025

1895

ec349@st-andrews.ac.uk

Site

1484

26/04/2025

https://www.robben-island.org.za/infirmary-1890-1931/, https://www.robben-island.org.za/infirmary-1862-1892/. https://www.robben-island.org.za/religion-1846-now/, https://www.cape-town-heritage.co.za/heritage-site/robben-island-leper-church.html

cm x cm x cm

current,-33.80559661648449,18.37654781236779;

Anglican Church of the Province of South Africa

Church of the Good Shepherd, Robben Island

TEXT

Building

3966

public

1

ec349@st-andrews.ac.uk