The history of Christian Heritage Church - Krugersdorp
To God be the glory, great things He has done, is doing and will continue to do.The West Rand Times in its weekend edition stated that the Pentecostal Holiness Church would begin services on Sunday mornings in the Scout Hall in Boshoff Street. Many were negative about such a venture into faith.
1958 March (second Sunday of the month) A small group of people consisting of 6 adults and 10 children gathered for the first worship service. 1958 August The church was organized with a total of thirteen members; a couple of weeks later, the number was up to fifteen members. Dr D.D. Freeman, General Supervisor of the denomination in Southern Africa, established the group as a registered church. By that time Mr and Mrs Barton and family which included Yvonne Barton became members of the newly formed church. Yvonne became the wife of Pat Godwin For two years the church continued to meet in the Scout Hall under some trying circumstances. 1960 With such an increase in attendance, the Scout Hall was not able to accommodate the rapidly growing church. After much prayer and careful consideration, an empty shop building which was located on the Sterkfontein Road, was renovated and turned into a comfortable chapel. The blessings of the Lord continued to pour out upon the church in spite of many hostile satanic attacks. At times it seemed as though the walls would have to be pushed out because so many came to worship. Because of overcrowding, the building was a constant worry to the Fire Department and the parking of many cars of great concern to the Traffic Department. 1962 November The Lord wrought another of many miracles in the congregation. The church secured the present property for the unbelievable price of 25 pounds or $75. Counsellor Louis Friedman, an Orthodox Jew, had become a devoted friend of Pastor Gardner and his family and he lead the church through the unbelievable red tape of owning their own property. Rumours, though falsified, travelled the town that Louis Friedman had converted from the Orthodox Jewish faith to a Pentecostal. His comment was, “If I wasn’t a Jew then I would be a Pentecostal”. He remained a friend to the pastoral family until his death. 1963 March 16th That Saturday was a memorable day. Firstly the cornerstone was unveiled, reading, “Laid to the Glory of God, by Mr Jack Howell, who laboured so untiringly for the erection of this church”. Mr Howell, besides acting as owner builder of the Church, had put up his business, “Steel Industries”, as security for the loan which was quickly paid by the fast growing, enthusiastic and self-sacrificing congregation. Hearts overflowed with praise and gratitude to our Heavenly Father, who had led us in the building of a Haven of Worship. The church membership had grown to 175 members and 200 adherents which caused the 300 seater sanctuary to be filled from the very opening. 1963 to March 1965 Pastor Bill List assisted by Pat and Yvonne Godwin and Mr and Mrs Changuion, pastored the Church while Jimmy and Esther Gardner were on furlough in the U.S.A. 1966 Not only was the seating capacity of the Church inadequate and had to have added chairs, loud speakers were placed in the windows and seating was provided outside on the lawns and in the small fellowship building. Again the people laboured and built the present facility. 1972 December The doors were unlocked to this magnificent and spacious edifice. Next was the unveiling of the cornerstone by the Town Counsellor and Deacon P.R. Human which read, “Laid to the glory of God, whose loyalty to Christ and His church will not be forgotten”. 1975 The Changuion family became foundation members in this new outreach for souls. The Changuions became great spiritual pillars in what was destined to be Krugersdorp’s largest church. Even though many years have passed, and the founding Pastor, Rev Jimmy Gardner and his wife Ester worked tirelessly for the establishing of the church, they returned to the States with their family. Their son, Talmage serves on the General Board of Administration and their other son Derek is in charge of a growing church in South Carolina and their daughter Rosemary is active in the church in Burlington, North Carolina. Pastor Gardener passed away in 2008, his wife Esther still prays in her far away country in U.S.A. for the Church in Krugersdorp. 1977 to 1985 Rev David and Jeanette Howell were in charge of the church. 1990 Pat and Yvonne Godwin gave the Krugersdorp Pentecostal Holiness Church the name of Christian Heritage Church, Krugersdorp, because they know that the Gardener couple left the church with a good Christian Heritage. Dr. Pat and Yvonne Godwin are the senior Pastors of Christian Heritage Church and Pastor Keith and Cheryl Williams are the assistant Pastors. 2015 Dr. Pat and Yvonne Godwin announced their retirement and Pastor Keith and Cheryl Williams have taken the baton as the Lead Pastors of the Church. Click here to find out about Christian Heritage today... |
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