Beginnings"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, In late September 1952, eight Christians began meeting at a local community hall in the Strand. Their desire: to found the first Baptist witness in the Helderberg. The congregation grew steadily and within a year they had purchased a double plot of land in Church street (with a deposit of 100 pounds!). In God's providence, Strand Baptist Church was officially recognized by the Baptist Union of South Africa on the 8th of October 1954. Since those early days there have been many highlights: the planting of Somerset West Baptist, Grabouw Baptist and Gordons Bay congregations. Above all, we're grateful to God for the lives changed through the Gospel of his Son. Soli Deo Gloria! |
Timeline
1952 - Rev Boshoff & 7 others begin meeting at 4pm on Sunday afternoons at a community hall. (First service 14th).
1953 - Strand Baptist Constitution passed with 12 founding members.
1953 - First baptism, Mrs Webb.
1954 - SBC formally accepted into membership of the Baptist Union of South Africa.
1958 - Induction of 1st pastor, John Large.
1967 - Induction of 2nd pastor, Harold Jones.
1976 - Induction of 3nd pastor, Fred Buchler.
1977 - Began Macassar Baptist fellowship.
1978 - Somerset West evening services commence at the Anglican Hall, attended by 32.
1978 - Elgin church plant already underway.
1978 - Attendance figures: Strand 72 (am), Somerset West 22 (pm), Grabouw 20 (am).
1980 - Gordon Miller welcomed as member and co-pastor for the Somerset West work. Travel and housing allowance of R250 noted with regret :(
1981 - Somerset West Baptist Church becomes an independent congregation.
1982 - Induction of 4th pastor, Dennis Beeselaar.
1989 - Induction of 5th pastor, Ulrich Malan.
2000 - Induction of 6th pastor, Martyn Turck.
2003 - Induction of 7th pastor, Paul Hartwig.
2004 - Strand Baptist celebrates 50yrs of ministry.
2005 - Gordons Bay Baptist Fellowship accepted into membership the Baptist Union.
2009 - Church extensions completed (images below).
2011 - Groenewald family sent as full time missionaries to Quecha people in Peru.
2014 - Induction of 8th pastor, Pieter Pienaar.
2022 - Induction of assistant pastor, Matthew Damonze.
