Who we are

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. He, Rev. Alf made a personal guarantee for the funds for the site even though his financial position did not warrant it. Alf felt that this was what the Lord wanted him to do. The Baptist Union (BU) had earlier turned down his request to make application for the site so he was on his own! The site was purchased for R800-00. The present site in Arbor Park was allocated to him. Shortly after this event the announcement was officially made that Iscor was to start work on the plant. The General Secretary of the BU phoned Alf and requested him to secure land for a church, which he had already done! The church building was brought into service in 1973 at a cost of R45000 (church and hall / nursery school area). The Baptist Union was involved with the purchase of the Church Manse and helped with financial support. The church buildings and the manse were completely paid off during 1984 with much praise and thanksgiving.

In 1979, during the pastorate of Ken Baxter – the 1689 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith was adopted as part of the constitution. Since then, the Newcastle Baptist church has been identified as a “Particular” Baptist Church, for which we are not ashamed as it is nothing less than that found in God’s precious Word!

The church has been wonderfully provided with Godly pastors during the life of the church starting with Alf Nieuwoudt then 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.

In 1974 the Department of Education, Natal approved the use of the hall as a nursery school at a R300 per month rental and a R11500 building grant – in return they would have the use of the premises for 10 years.

Through the years the Newcastle Baptist Church became the spiritual home to believers from different ethnic backgrounds and the Lord made us one family by His Spirit. The words the apostle Paul to the believers in Ephesus have been the “glue” that kept us together. He wrote: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

It is with thanksgiving that we look back at the past fifty years of God’s amazing grace which He bestowed upon us. We pray that His grace will continue to carry us as we desire to glorify God the Father, as we exalt Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What we belive