Gereformeerde Kerk in Namibie

Gazing up at the Gereformeerde Kerk Windhoek, one might hear whispers of “raisin bread church”. This nickname, a relic of its past, refers to the original 1952 structure. That building, with its uniquely patterned tile work, has been replaced. Now, a stately brown brick edifice graces the corner of Luther and Liliencron Streets in Eros, overlooking Windhoek. The Gereformeerde Kerk Windhoek stands as the oldest of the three Dutch Reformed churches in Namibia’s capital. Its story begins in 1937, making it the sixth-oldest congregation of the Reformed Churches in South Africa in what was then South West Africa. It outlasted the Bitterwater congregation near Dordabis, which closed in 1964. This longevity secures the Gereformeerde Kerk Windhoek’s position as the fifth-oldest active GK congregation in Namibia. The current church building, dedicated in 1977, holds a wealth of stories within its walls. Michiel Prinsloo, the oldest surviving member of the Dorsland Trek, a significant Boer migration, had the honor of unlocking the church doors at the opening ceremony. Inside, a marble “treasure chest” was installed for tithes, a unique feature reflecting the community’s dedication. Interestingly, the church organ is smaller than originally intended due to cost overruns during construction, a testament to the challenges and triumphs of building this spiritual home. The final touch, a corbel stone, was placed in 2002, marking the true completion of the Gereformeerde Kerk Windhoek. The church has been served by a succession of ministers, each leaving their mark on the congregation. From Dr. Demps van der Merwe, the first pastor in 1950, to the current minister, Henning Vorster Venter, appointed in 2016, the Gereformeerde Kerk Windhoek has thrived under their guidance.