Iconic Klipkerk celebrates its milestone 133rd anniversary
"More than ever, the passion and vision of our church is to serve our community with the love of Jesus Christ, in such a way that it becomes more and more a community which is respectful, works together, serves one another, cares for one another and is proud, clean, safe and beautiful."
The Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Vryheid, better known as the Klipkerk to locals, is a towering and familiar sight on the Vryheid landscape and recently turned 133 years old.
The exquisite architectural masterpiece, majestically erected at the heart of Vryheid in the late 1800s, is home to the congregation of the Dutch Reformed church, founded on September 25, 1886 after its departure from the NG Kerk in Utrecht.
At that point, according to Ds Ferdinand van Niekerk, the congregation was still part of the old Transvaal and would only become part of the Natal Church in 1951.
“Op 25 September, 1886 word die gemeente gestig wanneer hy afstig van die NG Kerk in Utrecht,” he explained. “Toe was die gemeente nog deel van die ou Transvaal en sou eers in 1951 deel word van die Natalse Kerk. Die pragtige kerkgebou is in 1894 in gebruik geneem en restourasiewerk is in 1970 gedoen.”
The remarkable historical pipe organ, which lends to the classical gothic-styled architecture of the church, dates back to 1894 and the rich, celestial sound of air through the centuries-old pipes still rings divinely through the church’s hallowed halls.
“Our forefathers and mothers had the calling and passion of extending the kingdom of Jesus Christ in this area by serving man, animals and nature. Dit is vandag nog so!” exclaimed the passionate reverend. “Ons gemeente is op ‘n historiese moment waar ons gaan saamsmelt met ons dogter, Vryheid Wesgemeente, wat in 1971 afgestig het. Ons sal detailinligting deurgee en julle almal uitnooi na die heugelike gebeurtenis. Ons gemeentevisie is mooi en eenvoudig: soos Christus! Ons wil graag al hoe meer mekaar en almal help om al hoe meer die mooi mens soos Jesus Christus te word waarvan radikale liefde die heel belangrikste is.”
He concluded, “More than ever, the passion and vision of our church is to serve our community with the love of Jesus Christ, in such a way that it becomes more and more a community which is respectful, works together, serves one another, cares for one another and is proud, clean, safe and beautiful.” On Saturday morning, the church bell tolled 133 times in celebration of the auspicious milestone, as the community showed up in support of the church’s annual bazaar.
“What a privilege to have our bazaar again on Saturday and to celebrate God’s grace in our congregation for 133 years,” wrote congregation member, Ronell Keeve. “Our pastor, Ferdinand van Niekerk opened our blessed day with prayer at 9am just after the church bell had tolled 133 times. We celebrated the day with food stalls selling food at good prices and also giving back to the community with our ‘Street store – buy for FREE’ out on the church plain. Thank you to each and everyone who supported us. We loved serving you. May you be blessed, Vryheid. We are here to serve and the best is yet to come!”
Also read:Â UPDATE (VIDEO): Church members take to the streets to teach #VryheidViolentProtestors a lesson
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