The Dale Street Congregational Church, with a cherished history of faith and resilience, was born from the struggles of its community in 1896.
Over the decades, it endured rejection, oppression, and the harsh reality of apartheid in South Africa.
During the early 1970s, the church faced a devastating blow under the cruel apartheid-era Group Areas Act. Its original historic building, along with the adjacent manse and school situated in the heart of town on Dale Street, was destroyed. The church community was forcibly relocated to Rosedale, uprooted solely because of discriminatory policies based on race and even hair texture.
Despite these hardships, the church’s faith-driven community rose resolutely through divine guidance and the dedication of its spiritual leaders. Reverends Van Der Kemp van Rooyen, Charles William Hendrickse, Allan Hendrickse, and Jacob Navan Adonis were among those who played crucial roles in ensuring the church continued to thrive. The Hendrickse family, serving as father and son clergy, dedicated a remarkable combined 84 years to the congregation, while Reverend Adonis led the church for an inspiring 42 years. These leaders’ contributions are treasured not only in the annals of the church but also in the hearts of the community.
Today, Dale Street Congregational Church forms a vibrant part of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), with contributions extending across its mother church in Kariega, its wards in Despatch, and several outstations, namely Steytlerville, Klipplaat, Addo, Paterson, and Thornhill/Longmore.
This weekend, on July 19, the church will host a historic event as Reverend Euodia Volanie is officially inducted as its new minister. In a statement, the church said, “We celebrate this joyous and historic moment as Reverend Volanie, a visionary leader born and raised in Kariega, steps into this significant role. Reverend Volanie has already shown exceptional spiritual guidance during her time as Acting Minister.”
The induction festivities will begin at 13:00 with a parade by the Brigades, starting from the Four Way Stop near CW Hendrickse Primary School. The Brigade Orchestra will lead the procession to the church, where Reverend Ebrahim Persent, the Moderator of the Algoa Region of UCCSA, will officiate the induction ceremony.
Visitors from neighbouring churches are expected to attend this extraordinary occasion.
