The Groote Kerk on Church Square Cape Town is the oldest Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa and dates back to the 1700's. It was rebuilt in the mid 1800's due to disintegration as a result of the water table on which it is built. The Church has the most magnificent wood carved Pulpit designed by the famous architect Anton Anreith and has at its base 2 sculptured Cape lions. Cape lions are now extinct. The pulpit was preserved during the renovations in the 1800's by concealing it in a box whilst the church was being rebuilt. It still stands on its original position since the church first opened its doors. It was the tradition of the Dutch to bury there governors in the church and to lay their bodies in crypts under the wood floor. A total of 8 governors were buried in the Church including Simon Van Der Stell whose bones lie buried under the wood carved pulpit.