Church Heritage Award
1. Seventh-day Adventist Church History in South Africa
Adventism in South Africa started around 1878 due to William Hunt, an American
miner who was looking for greener pastures. He ended up in Kimberly. William Hunt
was passionate in spreading the gospel and shared some gospel tracts. The first
convert of William hunt was J.H.C. Wilson then wrote to the General conference in
1878 affirming his faith and telling them that about 40 people had accepted the
Seventh day Sabbath.
In 1885 P. Wessels accepted (through Bible Study) Sabbath truths together with
Van Druten (through tracts0. Both were members of the Dutch.
In 1886 a Macedonia Call (Acts 16) from Africa was sent to the General Conference
requesting missionaries. A £50 note was included in the letter. The following
missionaries arrived in July 1887 in Cape Town and stayed at Wessels’ home.
Ps C.L Boyd and Sicily Maud
Ps A. Robinson and wife
George Burleigh
R. S Antony
Mace Corrie (female bible worker)
This is when there was an official Adventist church.
First church organization - In 1887 Boyed and Wessels went to organize a church in
Kimberly (Northern Cape) at Beaconsfield.
Second church organization – 1888- Roland Street Church in Cape Town (Western
Cape).
Third church organization – 1890- Rokeby Park Church in Grahamstown (Eastern
Cape)
Van Druten
First convert of William Hunt
Businessman in Kimberly
Worshipped at Boschholf church
Introduced Peter Wessels to William Hunt
Peter Wessels
A miner and a member of Boschholf church
Owned a farm
Passionate about Christianity
Got sick and prayed for healing and God healed him
Challenged by his brother to keep the Sabbath and he studied the Bible until
he found Sabbath truths and kept the Sabbath. He was zealous about his newfound
truths.
In 1893 he visited Cecil John Rhodes because he wanted land for a mission
station.
One of the people who marked Solusi land in 1894. Land for the mission
station was requested because then Helderberg was only for whites and colored.
The church recognized by the state was Dutch so Adventists could not get land in
South Africa.
First Health Institution
Claremont Sanitarium was started in 1897. Funds for the sanitarium came from the
Wessels. The Sanitarium was a replica of Battle Creek Sanitarium. The Wessels had
diamonds on their farm.
Claremont Union College was the forerunner of Helderberg College. It then moved
to Spionkop (a farm where the Anglo-Boer war took place) around 1919. In 1928 it
then moved to Somerset west and became Helderberg College.
The first Elementary school was in Beaconsfield established in 1893
Goodhope School – for colored
Bethel School for blacks
The first school for Transvaal Conference was at Klein Street Church- the current
Johannesburg Central Church.
First African Convert
The first black South African convert was Richard Moko. He was a learned man.
Stephen Haskel was preaching when Richard heard the message and gave his life
to Christ. Richard was baptized in Beacons filed in 1895 at Beaconsfield. Years later
he became the first black minister and he was ordained around 1915. He was the
first black man to write a pamphlet that was published by the church. He is one of
Bethel College’s founders. He is the first black person to be employed as a Ps by the
Conference. He sold books for a living
Solusi
It was the first mission among the “Heathens” in 1894. It was named Solusi because
it was near chief Soluswe. All other mission stations emanated from Solusi.
Pathfinder History
Cape Conference
Good Hope Conference was the first organized Pathfinder Federation in January
1965. The first Pathfinder training course was conducted by Pastor J. Human.
First Federation Officers
Conference Youth Director – Pastor G. Beyers
Pathfinder Director – W.J. Fillmore
Deputy Director – Miss R. Slamat
Scribe – Mrs. D. W. Fillmore
The first Pathfinder Rally was held on 20 March 1965 at Riverside
First Pathfinder fair was held on 26 September 1965
In 1970, the Good Hope Conference Youth director was Glen Africa
By 1974, there were 42 Pathfinder clubs with over 1200 Pathfinders.
First Pathfinder Clubs in South Africa
Claremont
Riverside
Salt river
Retreat
Grassy Park
Organization of Conferences
The Cape Conference was organized in 1892
Transvaal Conference- 1902
TOC – 1960
KZN-Free State – 1994
2. Berea International Church History
The church started as a branch of City Church towards the end of 2006. There were
4 Pathfinders and 4 Adventures and the Director was Grace Mole. Mrs Mutero was
the club sponsor. Total membership was 25. Some families that worshipped there in
the initial stages were, Msafiris, Nxumalos, Ndebeles. Elder Moyo was also part of
the congregation. The Mpofus joined in 2008. The first church clerk was Eunice
Nxumalo. Treasurer was Bathabile Dlamini (now Mrs. Kapumha). The second
Treasurer was Mrs. Nxumalo.
The church was organized in 2008. The first Head Elder was Mr. Sibanda (now
Pastor H.Sibanda). The first Pastor was De Villiers followed by Ps. Magerman then
Ps. Beki, then Ps Sibanda, then Ps. Mkwanazi then the current one, Pastor H.
Mojapelo.
Berea International Church was located in Berea close to Bossman Station but the
name Berea was inspired by the Bereans in the Bible who studied the word of God.
Several buildings were used by Berea International as there was no permanent
place of their own. The buildings included Victoria Hotel, Doxa Deo, Berea School,
and Founders School.
In 2017 Berea International Church bought a building in Silverton. The official
opening of Berea International was done by Pastor I. Kallis, The General Secretary
of the Northern Conference of South Africa.
There is a big hall that is also used by the community for the following
i.
Aftercare services
ii.
Adult classes for Department of Higher Education
iii.
South African Police Services Lectures