Opened since 1882
Our Story
Welcome to Florianville VGK
139 YEARS - OUR PASTORS - OUR SHEPARDS - OUR LEADERS
VGKSA Florianville’s foundation can be traced back to 27 June 1882 with the establishment of the NGSK Beaconsfield. Our congregation therefore celebrates its 139th anniversary today, 27 June 2021. The theme for the 139 anniversary celebrations is –
‘139 years – Our pastors – our shepherds – our leaders’
During the late 1800s Reverend Paulus Teske, pastor of the Beaufort West Mission Congregation, visited his members who were miners in Kimberley and lobbied for the establishment of the Beaconsfield NGSK congregation.
On 27 June 1882, the first church council members were elected during a congregational meeting.
During March 1931, the Church Councils of the NGSK Beaconsfield and NGSK Kimberley decided to call on one pastor for the 2 congregations. The Reverend JP Jacobs accepted a profession and served in the congregation for 5 years until 1936. The system of 'contribution tickets' was introduced. The Emancipation of the Slaves was festively celebrated by the congregation and during the special service in December 1934 literature was distributed dealing with the liberation of the slaves and a special collection was taken up to erect a monument to commemorate the event.
Welcome to Florianville VGK
In 1889 Reverend FW Schonken started as the first pastor of this congregation and worked here until 1894.
He was later replaced by Reverend AJ Pepler. These were difficult years – pioneer years and fundraising also for their salary was not an unusual sight.
Reverend Pepler was succeeded by Reverend JP Kromberg who served in the congregation for 30 years.
In 1938 Reverend JJ de Villiers accepted service here and served the congregation faithfully until his resignation on 15 November 1942. During the congregation’s 50th anniversary in 1939, the CSB and Brigade of Young People were founded.
From 1943 to 1945 Reverend RJ Barnard was serviceable in the congregation.
From 1943 to 1945 Reverend RJ Barnard was serviceable in the congregation.
He was succeeded in 1951 by the Reverend PH Muller, who is regarded as the building master of the congregation.
It was during his ministry that the NGSK Beaconsfield disbanded in July 1956. All assets were transferred to the NGSK Kimberley and they then became one.
It was also during his ministry that this church building in which you and I sit today was built. Craftsmen such as masons and carpenters from the congregation made a special contribution to the construction of the new church building. Reverend Muller himself helped with the building. However, Reverend Muller did not see the completion of the new church building. With his farewell speech on May 8, 1960, the floor, walls and roof were completed.
On 29 July 1960 Reverend SC Visser accepted service in the congregation. He and the church council lobbied for the completion of the church building which was finally consecrated on 23 November 1963 without debt. He served the congregation until April 1974.
Reverend Jacobus (nee Jaco) Coetzee served the congregation from 20 July 1974 to 20 February 1982. Reverend Coetzee’s term of service in this congregation is characterized by, amongst others, the functioning and coordination of the church council commissions has been strengthened; the active and successful closer cooperation and liaison with other church associations. His special soft spot and dedication to the youth work in the congregation will always remain.
On 22 October 1982 Rev Vincent E Cloete accepted service in the congregation. He was the first colored person to serve our congregation. These were formative years and years that built and strengthened. During Rev. Cloete’s term of service, the NGSK and the NGKA united and it was her responsibility to be supported by the church council of the day to guide the congregation through this change.
He is succeeded by Rev. Christo Williams who has been in the service of God and His church in our congregation since 1991 until November 30, 2003.
Reverend Williams was succeeded in February 2005 by Rev. Claudette Williams who led the congregation for 10 years until February 2015. She is the first woman to serve as a pastor within the congregation. Her passion for working among the young was remarkable. She also ensured that the Integrated Ministry Model was implemented within the congregation and functioned properly. It was also during her ministry that the church hall was completed and consecrated.
On 21 November 2015 Rev. Mario Ferris was confirmed as pastor in the congregation. Rev. Ferris’ dynamic spiritual ministry ensures a congregation that lives close to God and lives out its vocation as ‘Jesus church’. Rev. Ferris’ ministry of inclusiveness takes the congregation to new heights. He is currently still serving in the congregation and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he guides us as a congregation through the COVID-19 pandemic. Circumstances allow us to be a church within a challenging period.
Ephesians 5 verse 6 “Do not let anyone deceive you with all kinds of lies,…”
Ephesians 5 verse 8: ‘…but now in the Lord you are light. Then live as people of the light.’
As a congregation we strive to remain faithful to the Word and to live like people of light.
God bless our congregation. God bless our teachers.
139 YEARS - OUR PASTORS - OUR SHEPARDS - OUR LEADERS
