Waaihoek se N.G. Sendinggemeente in Bloemfontein: 1891-1903
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Date
2002
Authors
Britz, R. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State
Abstract
This article considers the early history of a unique Dutch Reformed mission congregation
in the capital of the Free State Republic. Members, especially elder John
Fraser of the local “Tweetoringkerk”, initiated the establishment of a separate mission
congregation in Waaihoek, at that time the non-white residential area of
Bloemfontein. In terms of the Ecclesiastical Laws of the Dutch Reformed Church of
the Orange Free State, this church was founded in 1891. In 1895, the Waaihoek
church, which was related to the (white) Dutch Reformed congregation of Bloemfontein,
obtained a religious teacher, who was eventually ordained as missionary in
1897. Tension grew within the congregation because of the influx of black Basotho
people who neither understood Dutch nor had the culture of the initial “Coloured”
(brown) members. Consequently, the services and the administration of the sacraments
(both Baptism and Holy Communion) were held separately. The congregation
experienced the Anglo-Boer War in its own way. Their perspective on the War
differed from that of those belonging to the white congregation. The Waaihoek congregation
had to contend with a neighbouring concentration camp for black people.
Ultimately it survived the war.
Description
Keywords
Anglo-Boer War and the church, Dutch Reformed Mission Church, Dutch Reformed Church in Africa, Bloemfontein, Waaihoek, South African church history, Free State
Citation
Britz, R. M. (2002). Waaihoek se N.G. Sendinggemeente in Bloemfontein: 1891-1903. Acta Theologica, 22(2), 1-18.