Dutch Reformed Church Members of Trichardtsfontein congregation had long been nurturing the desire to establish a separate congregation. The official date of establishment of the congregation is listed as May 25, 1918. During autonomy the congregation already had its own pastor, the Rev J J Prinsloo. Rev Prinsloo, however, after 8 months, he moved to Standerton and for next nine years, the congregation was served by custodians. On 18 October 1919 the church council ratified the purchase of plots for the construction of the first church of the congregation. Careful planning characterised the new church building. In 1925 plans submitted by the famous architect, Mr Gerhard Moerdyk was accepted and published on tender. The cornerstone was laid by custodian L E Brandt on 23 January 1926 and on 27 November 1926 the church was inaugurated… Rev J G M Dreyer was received as a minister on 28 July 1928, and until he left the congregation on November 28, 1937, he worked with dedication and great enthusiasm here. After the departure of Rev Dreyer, there past almost four years before the Rev A Brandt was confirmed as minister for Bethal on January 1941, but on January 27, he departed again. Rev W van Bergen served as pastor from June 1945 to March 1949. He was, from February 1956, followed by Rev P W A Bierman. Probationer M J van Schalkwyk was confirmed Rev J J Prinsloo here in 1958 and he worked with special diligence in the congregation till February 1963. Early in 1958 it was decided that alterations needed to be made to the old church, but it finally ran out when planning for a new church building was done, which materialised in the pastoral of Rev J H Koekemoer (1963-1965). The new church was inaugurated on April 10, 1965. After the Rev J H Koekemoer’s departure, he was succeeded by the Rev A T McDonald. The latter also left the church some time later. Rev A T McDonald was followed by Rev S P Pretorius from 1971-1975. After many careers Rev C L Badenhorst accepted the career of Bethal in 1976 and came to settle here. Dutch Reformed Church – designed by Gerhard Moerdyk. 77
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