Here at the Independent Congregational Church, we stand on a site rich with history. The Independent Congregational Church began as a church for soldiers. These soldiers belonged to the 93rd Regiment of the Sutherland Highlanders.
James Read arrived in 1800. He formed a Calvinistic Society. Members pledged to help each other in their Christian lives. Then Reverend George Thom arrived in 1813. Members gave each other a hand of Christian fellowship on May 6 1813. This act constituted them into a church. Rev Thom conducted the first Free Church service on South African soil. Sixty-three of the ninety communicants were members of the 93rd Regiment. The regiment transferred to India the following year. This left the church with only 27 members.
Dr. John Philip arrived on April 3 1820. He was formally invited to the Pastorate of this Independent Congregational Church. He accepted the offer. But he stipulated that the church should be governed by a Church Meeting. This stipulation marked the start of the First Definite Congregational Church in South Africa.
They first met in the Orphan Chambers in Parliament Street. Later, they moved to a building in Church Square. This building became the Cape Town Club. It was also known as the Union Chapel. Later, a church was built in Caledon Square. This became the headquarters of the Congregational Church in Cape Town.
This church had a small membership. The group in Church Square had to leave. Rev Pitt started the Trinity Congregational Church. It was independent of the Caledon Square church. It was in the St. Martini’s Schoolroom in Queen Victoria Street. The German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Long Street granted use of this building. They charged a nominal rental.
Rev Pitt held the first service on Sunday April 11 1896. Three adults and five children attended. A decision was made to buy a site for a church. The site was in the area known as Tamboerskloof. Part of the Saasveld Historical Gardens was obtained. The new Trinity Church, Kloof Street opened on February 13 1898.
A Management Board was formed. On January 30 1907, the Trinity Church united with the Congregational Church Caledon Square. They formed the Union Church in Kloof Street. Rev Pitt and his Church Council looked for a larger site in 1916. Rev Pitt’s health declined in 1919. A young man was appointed to assist him. Members did not want him to retire. He died in July 1919. Rev Penalligon succeeded him. The present site was bought in 1920. Princess Alice Countess of Athlone officially opened the built Independent Congregational Church in April 1925. Rev Bowen also became the minister in 1917. He died in 1928.
The Stephenson Hall was added in 1935. The Louis Bosman Hall was added in 1964. The Chapel was added in 1968. Many ministers of the Independent Congregational Church hold notable places in South African History. These include Dr. John Philip, Rev James Cameron, Rev T.D. Philip and Rev John Mullineux.
Dr. Livingstone preached at the desk now used as the communion table. Saul Solomon, founder of the Cape Argus, was also a member. He was invited to serve as Prime Minister.
The organ was bought from St. Mary’s in Woodstock. It was renovated after the last war. This renovation honored Ernest Hammond, Jack Van Niekerk, Duncan Bowen, Neville Bellamy and Jack Mills. They paid the supreme sacrifice during the 2nd World War.
Near the Graafs Trust Building entrance, look for a circular blue plaque. It reads “Site of Union Chapel. First Congregational Church in South Africa 1921”.
Other churches were then established. Claremont Congregational Church was founded in 1840. Sea Point was founded in 1893. Observatory was founded in 1894. Rondebosch was founded in 1903.
The church records for the Trinity Church date back to 1821. They are now housed in the Kloof Street Church. The Sea Point Church records are also available at the church.