125 Years of mission and ministry

When you walk through the Krugersdorp Methodist Church, you are reminded of not only the history of the church but also of Krugersdorp. They recently celebrated their 125th birthday.

The church was founded on November 17, 1897 and on November 17 and 18 they held their celebrations. On the Saturday they held a community fellowship event in the form of a spitbraai. They celebrated with the current fellowship, older people who cannot always make it to church and those who have moved away.

Reverend Raymond Keet said that they invited everyone who helped to build the church to what it is today, about 80 people joined in on the celebrations. One of their long serving ministers, Reverend Simon Prince, who served at the church for about 10 years, also joined with his wife Janet. His intention was to bring greetings from past ministers.

Ministers who sent greetings were Reverend Christopher Botha, ministers Kym and Michael Bishop, Reverend Dr Don WIlliams and Reverend Dr Donald Veysie. Apart from the braai they also celebrated with cupcakes. The theme for their celebrations were Psalm 150:1 celebrating 125 years of Mission and Ministry to the glory of God.

“It was so much fun, even the preparations were good. Seeing the community come together and having fun together,” he said.

On the Sunday morning they held a thanksgiving celebration service which was attended by dignitaries from the district. Vise Bishop Rev Ncombo, District secretary Rev Leamammo and Lay Leader Badi attended. Rev Ncombo shared the sermon of the day and spoke about foundations and faithfulness and how Jesus is the cornerstone. Rev Keet said that more than 140 people attended the sermon. They ended the day with a cake celebration and tea.

The Methodist Church is a memorial church and throughout you can find memorial plaques of previous fellows. There is also a plaque for those who had lost their lives in World War l.

In the 1890’s the Wesleyan Methodist Church was assumed to be meeting in homes until 1897 when a church building began being used as a public worship space. The dedication plaque at the entrance of the church says the foundation stone was laid on September 17, 1897. In 1910 the church was enlarged to accommodate the growing English membership in the Afrikaans community.

The first minister on record in 1898 and was Reverend Bottrill. The new circuit was formed on June 29, 1902 due to the increase in ministry and the growth of the Wesleyan church. Their first quarterly circuit meeting took place on April 11 1903.

The memorial pulpit was also built to commemorate those in the war and still stands today. Their memorial hall was built in the 1950’s and was primarily a space for Sunday school but was also used by the community for meetings and such.

In 1984 the young people’s Fellowship Hall and caretakers flats were erected and opened on August 26.

In recent years the Krugersdorp Methodist Church also planted other churches into the community of the West Rand the most recent one being in 2010 with the establishment of the Noordheuwel Methodist Church.

“We look forward to what the continued ministry and mission of Krugersdorp Methodist Church will look like, in the ever changing and challenging Krugersdorp community,” said Rev Keet.