In 1968, concerned Baptists met together in Newcastle. As there was no fellowship at the time, they asked the Reverend Alf Nieuwoudt, from the Dundee Baptist Church, if he could help out with ministry. He went to Newcastle every second Thursday night to conduct a Bible study and prayer meeting. It was there that the foundation for the Newcastle Baptist Church (NBC) was laid. By the end of April 1969 there were ten persons meeting together and it was agreed that a Sunday evening service should be held. The first service was held on the evening of 4 May 1969. Thirty-two people were present.
Alf had heard that a new Iscor steel plant was to be established in Newcastle and, using the letterhead of the Dundee Baptist Church (with permission from the leaders), he made application to the Newcastle Municipality for a church site. The site was purchased for R800.00. The present site in Arbor Park was allocated.
The church building was brought into service in 1973 at a cost of R45,000.00 (church and hall / nursery school area). The Baptist Union was involved with the purchase of the church manse and helped with financial support.
Nursery School
In 1974 the Department of Education, Natal approved the use of the hall as a nursery school at a R300.00 per month rental and a R11,500.00 building grant. In return, they would have the use of the premises for ten years. In 1979, during the pastorate of Ken Baxter, the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith was adopted as part of the constitution. The Newcastle Baptist church has been identified with Reformed teaching since then, for which we are not ashamed as it is nothing less than that found in his precious word! The church buildings and the manse were completely paid off during 1984 with much praise and thanksgiving.
Pastoral Families
The church has been wonderfully provided with godly pastors during the life of the church starting with Alf Nieuwoudt, Martin and Beryl Holdt, Ken and Ellen Baxter, Vernon and Heather Light, Peter and Sue Sammons; Elder (Burns Moller), Paul Jacob and Raymond Zulu, Brian and Violet Darroll, and Japie and Stephanie van Kampen.
Church Name: Newcastle Baptist Church
Country: South Africa
Region: KwaZulu-Natal
City: Newcastle (Arbor Park)
Physical Address:
42 Privet Street
Arbor Park
Newcastle, 2954
South Africa
Elders:
Japie van Kampen
Church Office Tel: +27 34 312 5044
Church Office Email: jj@newcastlebaptist.co.za
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