Beginnings​

​"Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
​in whose heart are the highways to Zion."  - Psalm 84:5

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​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!
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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, 9th pastor of SBC.