St. Sebastian's Cathedral

St. Sebastian Church (Sebastiankerk) is an 18th century church located in Koningstad Centrum, Koningstad. It is one of the best-known examples of the hybrid Federal-Baroque style developed by Victor Janowicz.

Construction
Victor Janowicz was commissioned by the Cape Cross parish priest to build the St. Sebastian Church. St. Peter's Church, the only other one in Koningstad, had grown too small and the church wanted to take advantage of the big city works. Janowicz prepared a design c. 1786 and overlooked initial construction until 1790, but it was his apprentice Johannes Hart that was in charge of most of the work. The plan was modified in 1789 to include an intricate bell tower. Financial constraints delayed the construction and it was only finished in 1798.

The bell for the tower was made by Petit & Fritsen of Helmond, the Netherlands in 1792. The bell was transported by ship to Brunant, but just north of Koningstad the ship sunk after hitting a rock in shallow water. Short on cash for a new bell, the church got a few strong-armed men to do a service for the church and had the bell retrieved.