Shortly after the establishment of the village of Somerset in 1825, a plot at the foot of the Boschberg was granted to the Wesleyan Church for the erection of a Chapel and to serve as a “burying” ground, the oldest in town. The Chapel was opened in 1828. A few years later, the property was transferred to the Dutch Reformed Church and by 1835, the building had been converted into a Parsonage (Pastorie).

The building was in use during the time of Somerset Farm and was used as an Officers Mess for British troops stationed on the eastern Frontier. Note the beautiful fanlight and the railings. The cast-iron fence was transported by wagon from Cape Town. Yellowwood from the Boschberg provided wood and beams for some partitions of the first floor. Several fireplaces have the royal coat of arms built into them. The Victorian veranda was added later.