Once named Dutch Reformed Church McLachlan, the NG Kerk in Cape Town holds a unique story. This story involves tension and the pursuit of spiritual unity. Let’s step back in time to understand its origins.
The roots of the NG Kerk trace back to the arrival of Dutch colonists in 1652. Jan Van Riebeeck led this initial group. They brought with them the Christian faith. Most officials of the Verenigde Oost-Indiesche Compagnie were members of the Reformed Church of the Netherlands. Their Protestant beliefs came to the Cape.
The first official minister, Rev. Johan van Arckel, arrived in 1665. He served the first congregation. It is still known as the Groote Kerk in Cape Town. As the colony expanded, so did the church. New congregations formed in Stellenbosch and Paarl.
Fast forward to 1929. The Dutch Reformed Church of Knysna considered a split. Their territory was too large for one minister. In January 1930, a meeting occurred. It was decided to divide the parish into Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. February 26, 1930 marked the official founding of the Plettenberg Bay congregation.
A dispute arose. Where should the center of the new congregation be? Most people favored Plettenberg Bay. However, the Presbytery Commission chose Wittedrift. They cited water and pasture for oxen as reasons. Wittedrift already had a school and cemetery.
The Presbytery Commission also chose a neutral name. They named it after Rev. P R McLachlan. From 1930 until 1987, it was known as the Dutch Reformed Church McLachlan.
The decision about the center caused unhappiness. The congregation appealed to the Synod. Eventually, a peaceful solution was found. By 1935, the congregation achieved cooperation and spiritual unity.
Due to the global depression, calling a minister took time. Rev. A F “Oupa” Weich performed duties on a relay basis. Rev. P H Coetzee became the first full-time pastor in 1931. Services were initially held in a classroom.
Building a parsonage became the priority. Local farmers donated gravel and sand. M P Z van Huyssteen donated land in 1931. The parsonage was built on this land. The Coetzee family moved in 1932.
The NG Kerk building was consecrated on May 5, 1934. It cost £2,500. It had seating for 600 members on yellowwood pews. The pulpit was made of witels.
The church council decided to build a hall in Wittedrift in 1938. This hall included rooms for communion attendees.
The global depression hit South Africa hard in 1930. The timber industry suffered. Foresters earned low wages. Many members of the congregation were foresters. The church struggled financially. For years, it received aid from the DRC’s Poor Care Commission.
By 1943, the congregation was still in need. Rev. Strydom raised enough funds to pay off the debt. Congregation members considered it a miracle.
In 1982, Plettenberg Bay grew as a holiday destination. The church council considered the future. The land for the church hall was too small for a complex.
In 1983, the congregation decided not to secede. Instead, they would build a church complex in Plettenberg Bay. The new complex opened on August 8, 1987.
The congregation now had four ministerial points. These points are Plettenberg Bay, Wittedrift, Harkerville, and Nature’s Valley.
In 1991, the church’s name changed. It became the DRC Plettenbergbaai. The old geographical divisions were replaced by free association.
Today, the NG Kerk holds joint communion services twice a year. In January, it is held in Wittedrift. This coincides with the parish foundation’s anniversary. In August, the joint communion is held in Plettenberg Bay. This marks the anniversary of the church building’s dedication.