New Apostolic Church Cape

Under the guidance of the District Evangelist Abrahamse and his helpers the work grew and in 1957 District Apostle Gut sealed the Abrahams and the Le Fleur families at Olifantskop. The Titus home became too small and permission was granted by the farm owners (Mr and Mrs Street) for services to be held in the Abraham’s home. Later Mr Street instructed Deacon Abrahams, who worked for him, to enlarge his pottery workshop to make it suitable as a gathering place.

In 1958 Mr Street needed this building for business purposes, but was kind enough to offer an alternative place he owned – Warren farm. Services were held on this farm from 1958 to 1966. After receiving testimony, the Afrikaner family were sealed on 4 April 1958 at Mosselbank. At this time the congregation fell under the Kensington District.

In December 1966, Bishop Roderiques announced in a service held in a large room of a house on the farm, that the congregation of Grootfontein (as it was then known) would be placed in the care of the Bellville district. The work continued to grow under the District Evangelist Andrews, Elder Van Niekerk, Priest D Miller and the then Sub-deacon Viegeland.

After two years, the Malmesbury town council objected to the house being used for church purposes. Once again Mrs Street came to the rescue and provided a shed for this purpose. Soon thereafter, however, the ground was sold and the new owner needed the shed. Mrs Street intervened yet again and offered her office in the pottery factory for temporary use. Deacon Abrahamse’s room was used as the vestry. This lasted for more than two years, but the Lord heard the prayers of His children and Mrs Street donated the present site for the erection of a church building. She received permission from the Durbanville Municipality and the plans were passed by the Divisional Council. The brothers from Bellville South, Durbanville, Grootfontein and Eerste River commenced work in their free time under the supervision of the then Priest Abrahams (now a retired District Elder) from Eerste River. The sisters also contributed by providing tea and food for the brothers whenever they could.

Fisantekraal (then Warren) was dedicated on 1 May 1972 with great joy and thankfulness in the hearts of the office bearers and the congregation. Sister Lucky Abrahams is the only founder member who is still in the congregation.

Around 1997, Drieheuwel congregation was started in the house of the now retired Deacon Adams (still in the congregation). About a year later the development of more houses in the Fisantekraal area meant that many members moved into the area. Two containers were acquired to house everyone. Over time, members from Braams and Warren moved to the area and the congregation grew immensely. As a result three separate congregations came into existence, namely Braams, Warren and Fisantekraal. The latter managed to acquire the use of two classrooms in the Trevor Manuel Primary School where they have been since 2001. With the building of the much prayed for and eagerly awaited new church in Fisantekraal, the three congregations will merge and form a single congregation of more than 500 souls!

It is with great thankfulness in our hearts that we remember the pioneers who worked with so much love and patience in difficult circumstances. We also remember the late Mr and Mrs Street who played such a pivotal role in helping to establish the New Apostolic church in the area. We thank the builders for the construction of the church. The congregation say thankyou to our district apostle for making funds available to build this beautiful church that can be dedicated today. Above all we thank our heavenly Father that He has made all this possible.