St George's celebrates centenary
2008-08-28
THE “little church around the corner in a busy street” is how a former member of the St George’s Presbyterian Church described the church building in a special poem commemorating the 100 years since the present church was erected. The poem, by Peter Avenstrüpp, was read during the celebration and re-dedication service of St George’s earlier this month. Members of the congregation, former members and friends of the church were invited to the special service, which was led by Reverend Peter Langerman, moderator of the United Presbyterian Church in the Western Cape. After the ceremony, a Wall of Remembrance was also unveiled. According to session clerk Chris Pienaar, St George’s Presbyterian Church has been in existence since Sunday 3 August 1902, when the first service was conducted by the Clerk of the Presbytery, the Reverend JM Russell, in the Hall of the then Normal College (now CPUT). The foundation stone for the present church was laid on 1 August 1908 by the Reverend John Dewar, then moderator of the Presbyterian Church of South Africa. “This means that our building is exactly 100 years old this month,” says Pienaar. Over the 100 years the ministers of the church were the Reverends HV Taylor, DS Carlyle, JD Yule, E Thomas, JS Lister, AH McGill, E Fleischman, J Venables, D Phillips, Jan van der Vliet, D Clark and John Comninos. Pienaar also says that “countless others have contributed over the years to make this church a jewel in His crown”. The church has since played its part in the community life of Wellington, providing a spiritual home and warm Christian fellowship to hundreds of worshippers within its walls over the century of its existence. Today, with a membership of about 140 members, St George’s not only provides for the spiritual needs of its congregation, but also actively serves the community of Wellington at the Day Hospital, by means of the Green Bag Project and the Women’s Knitting Circle to provide for those in need, in supporting Scripture Union, Industrial and Prison ministry and also through the Bambi nursery school. Pienaar believes that, “this little church will continue serving our congregation and community, knowing that He has richly blessed us over the years and will surely continue to do so as long as we follow His way and do His Will”. A Centennial Fundraising Dinner, an evening of musical entertainment, will be held on 17 October. The cost of the tickets are R150 per person. For more information, contact the church office 021-873-2021.
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