Dutch Reformed Church, Lady Grey
The Dutch Reformed Church in Lady Grey is the 17th oldest congregation in the Eastern Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and the 81st oldest in the entire Church, although it is the 19th to be established in the Eastern Cape. However, two older congregations, Middelburg and Komga, have since merged with other congregations.
Background
On 2 February 1857, members of the Katrivier ward of the Dutch Reformed congregation in Aliwal North held a public meeting on the farm Vaalbank with the purpose of discussing the secession of a separate congregation. A commission was then appointed to present such a request to the church council of Aliwal North and to find a suitable place that could serve as the centre of such a congregation, because as in so many other cases in the countryside, Lady Grey originated as a church town. On 30 April 1857, the farm Waaihoek was purchased from four Botha brothers for 12 000 rixdaalders to serve as a church farm and it was decided to ask the governor, at that time Sir George Grey, for permission to name the place Lady Grey in honour of his wife.
Ministers
- David Ross, 1863–1908 (emeritus; died 3 September 1915)
- Jozef Philippus Wolhuter, 1908–1933 (emeritus)
- Jan Hendrik Lange, 1934–1940
- Pieter Willem Jordaan, 1940–1945
- Johannes Jacobus Kacheloffer van der Merwe, 1945–1951
- Guillaume Francois Gerber, 1951–1960
- Jozua Joubert Scheepers, 1960–1964
- Frans Engelbrecht van der Merwe, 25 January 1969–1972
- Rudolf Martinus Johannes Britz, 3 March 1973–1976
- Johannes Stephanus Bouwer, 1977–1980
- Johannes Petrus Düring Cornelius, 28 July 1984–1995
- Christiaan Smit (Christo) du Plessis, 2009–2019
Sources
- Beyers, C.J. 1981. Suid-Afrikaanse Biografiese Woordeboek Deel IV. Durban en Pretoria: Butterworth & Kie (SA) (Edms.) Bpk. namens die Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing.
- Olivier, ds. P.L. (samesteller). 1952. Ons gemeentelike feesalbum. Kaapstad en Pretoria: N.G. Kerk-uitgewers.