Methodist Church celebrates 200 years in SA
In 1816, Reverend Barnabas Shaw and his wife established the first Methodist mission station at Leliefontein, Namaqualand.
THE Alberton Mission Circuit of the Methodist Church of South Africa will be celebrating 200 Years of Methodism in South Africa on Sunday, June 4 at 11.30am at the NG Kerk Brackenhurst.
The earliest record of a Methodist presence in South Africa was in 1795 among soldiers in the Cape during the first British occupation. During the second occupation, British soldiers built a stone chapel near Table Mountain where they held services.
In 1816, Reverend Barnabas Shaw and his wife established the first mission station at Leliefontein, Namaqualand. Hence, the Methodist church commemorates 200 years of their own heritage and history.
In 1898 a Methodist church was opened in Germiston. The Alberton township was established in 1904 and in 1905 Methodist people began services in the private home of the Fisher family. The first Wesleyan Mission Church was opened in 3rd Avenue, Florentia in 1918. There are now Methodist congregations in Alberton, Brackenhurst, Eden Park, Greenfields, Thokoza, Thokoza Gardens and Phola Park. These seven congregations will be celebrating the Methodist heritage on June 4.
Don’t miss this special occasion – everyone is welcome! For more information, give Minister Vernon van Wyk a call on 082 469 0601.
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