The Dutch Reformed Church in Steynsburg is one of the smaller congregations (180 members in 2012) of the Eastern Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. The congregation is bordered by the congregations of Burgersdorp, Molteno, Hofmeyr, Middelburg and Venterstad.
Background and foundation The town of Steynsburg was established in 1872 by the Reformed Church and was then located in the Albert district. The members of the Dutch Reformed Church in the area of Steynsburg were then affiliated with the Burgersdorp congregation.Inligting oor die dorp Steynsburg They strongly felt the need for their own congregation, especially because of the great distances (64 km to Burgersdorp). In 1874, construction of the first church building had already begun, the cornerstone of which was laid in March 1875.Steynsburg adverteer in die Kerkbode vir 'n leraar The congregation was founded on 26 January 1876, mainly through the zeal of Johannes C.M.D. du Plessis.
Ministers Pieter Daniël Rossouw, 1878–1881 Andries Adrian Louw Albertyn, 1882–1884 (after which Rouxville until his death on 3 May 1906) Dr. Johannes Petrus van Heerden, 1885–1887 Willem Hendrik Boshoff, 1888–1906 Stephanus Petrus Malherbe, 1907–1925 (emeritus; died on 20 September 1927) Izak Jacob Viljoen, 1925–1931 Dr. Louis Viljoen Rex, 1932–1939 Prof. dr. Frederik Johannes Mentz Potgieter, 1940–1943 Johan Gregorius Bezuidenhoud, 1943–1947 Dr. Willem Adriaan Smit, 1948–1953 Pierre Johan de Vos, 1953–1959 Sarel Jacobus Pieterse, 1960–1962 Marthinus Adrianus Bergh, 1962–1965 Barend Rudolph Buys, 1978 – 15 March 1981 (emeritus)
References
Sources Beyers, C.J. 1981. Suid-Afrikaanse Biografiese Woordeboek Deel IV. Durban en Pretoria: Butterworth & Kie (SA) (Edms.) Bpk. namens die Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing. Olivier, ds. P.L. (samesteller), 1952. Ons gemeentelike feesalbum. Kaapstad en Pretoria: N.G. Kerk-uitgewers.