Garden Village church a beacon of faith
ON SUNDAY, October 16, the congregation of the New Apostolic Church in Garden Village commemorated the 75th anniversary of the inauguration of its church building with a service conducted by district evangelist Johan Laubscher.
In October 1941, the late district apostle HF Schlaphoff inaugurated the church building for the congregation who had its beginnings in a house in 55 Discovery Road, Garden Village.
When one looks at the unimposing house where it all started, the words of the poet Karl JP Spitta, who lived between 1810 and 1859 come to mind, and I quote: “Oh blessed house that cheerfully receiveth, Thy visits Jesus Christ the souls’ true friend.”
The church has it on record a Mr Hambides (no one knows his first name), a local baker, started to bring testimony in Garden Village of the imminent return of Jesus and the salvation plan of God, while he delivered freshly baked bread in the area 10 years before the church was built.
He must have been a convincing speaker, for many converted to the church that started in the house in Discovery Road that soon started to burst at the seams, necessitating the erecting of a proper place of worship.
All this happened quietly while the world was at war. On the international front, the attack on Pearl Harbor being the catalyst which drew the US into World War II, and Hitler invading the USSR, capturing 500 000 prisoners, made the headlines.
Nationally, Hertzog and Smuts parted company when a decision had to be reached whether South Africa should enter the war.
It was during this time that Hambides took a decision to also spread the word – the bread of life eternal. Jannie Smuts eventually sent troops to the Middle East, East Africa, Madagascar and Italy.
Locally one could buy a new Nash 600 Coupe for £295 and a modern four-bedroomed house in Newlands for £1 650. One could also advertise in the Argus for 1 penny per word.
Seventy-five years down the line, the church building still strikes an imposing site viewed from the M5 with its front elevation facing Table Mountain and Vincent Pallotti Hospital on the left.
Today, the congregation is led by a young evangelist Bradley Adams, and his dedicated team of priests and deacons who care for the flock under the leadership of Bishop Abernathy Lutuli and apostle John Stephens.
Services are conducted on Sundays at 9am, and two mid-week services on a Wednesday, one at 10am and the second one at 7.30pm. Sunday school follows immediately after the morning service, where children are also taught to sing and play a musical instrument.
On Tuesday evenings the choir practices new hymns. On Sundays, the priests visit the sick at their homes. Garden Village has a strong youth component who brings joy to the sick with their singing and goes on regular excursions with young people of neighbouring congregations. The seniors have fun get-togethers such as sports days and concerts.
The Rector of Garden Village, the Evangelist Adams, is fortunate to also have a team of co-ordinators who will help to ensure the congregation Garden Village runs like a well-oiled machine for the next 75 years.
J COLIN JOOSTE Observatory