IMMANUEL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EERSTERUST

The Lady Selborne church!

As a local congregation, the ICC was formed in 1897, as a result of missionary work done by a certain Evangelist J.W. Orr, who was sposored by the England-based Colonial Missionary Society. The earliest record of a church members meeting of the ICC dates back to the 23rd August 1898. It is in no small measure due to the commitment, devotion and tenacity of leaders and laity of the ICC that the church has survived all the changes and challenges for well over a century, still standing firm in her work, worship and witness in 2014.

 

On 22 February 1914 the ICC inaugurated its first church building in Lady Selborne. This independent church was located in Carroll street next to the State School. The sisters of the congregation held 'Teas' to generate extra income. Piet Liberty who was acting Evangelist assisted Minister J. B. Watson in Lady Selborne for one pound a month.

The Church council members were H Wilson, A van Rooyen and Muller. They did the work of God for years promoting Congregationalism even under very difficult circumstances. Later on this task became the sole responsibility of David Wilson. Three years later he was joined by Brother Hendricks. Church Services were held at the Hoods home in Beacon street for almost two years. The Church was forced to sell its property in Lady Selborne and Claremont side because of the Group Areas Act .
The Church in Location was also for hire at 3 pounds per month. Susters Miss Emily and Miss Phoebe Ferguson were involved in this modest beginning. Primary school education was now within in reach of the 'Cape Location','Indian Bazaar' and 'Marabastad' children.
Pastor Watson resigned on 15 November 1904 as Minister because the church did not have any money. In 1905 he joined the Graaff-Reinet Congregation. In the absence of a permanent Priest an agreement was made with the C.U.S.A that Pastor Charles Philips relieving minister of Pastor A Sampson would visit the congregation on a monthly basis to give them Holy Communion and to assist with the day to general business of the Church. This service cost the church members 100 pounds a year.
On 19 January 1906 they held a meeting of which J. B. Watson was the chairman. He explained to them that Union decided that he would stay on for three months in which he would then be the acting Minister and would help with future plans.
The deed of sale for the property on which the church stands was sent to the Union for safe keeping. Nothing came of the suggestion to employ Pastor W. Goch.

Pastor P. J. van Amsterdam was the chairman for a meeting held January 1907. This well educated person moved from Pietermaritzburg. Pastor van Amsterdam left the congregation on 9 September 1912 for a church in Port Elizabeth. At a special meeting held on 20 November 1912 of which Pastor Charles Philips was the Chairman it was decided to appoint Pastor J. B. Watson.
During 1914 Pastor Watson left for 'Home' in England for six months.