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PO Box 365, Masaru 100, Lesotho, Email:muc@tlmail.co.ls | ||
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PREFACE This history is based on available documents and is as complete and accurate as possible. Further research into “The Friend”, “Livre d’Or” or “Quarterly Paper of the Bloemfontein Mission” or records of the founding churches would add to the completeness and accuracy of the history. Some further detail is available in David Ambrose’s Maseru : An Illustrated History. In a world which strives for ecumenism, the Maseru United Church may be unique as it was founded by three Protestant Churches: the Methodist Church of South Africa, die Nederduits Gereformeede Kerk van die Vry Staat (Dutch Reformed Church of the Free State), and the Presbyterian Church of South Africa. Sometime around 1908-1910, a small congregation which was to become Maseru United Church began to meet in a modest prefabricated iron building. That building had been previously used by the Maseru Prep School (then known as the European School), and had originally been built in 1890 as both a school and an Anglican church, although by 1892 the Anglicans were able to worship in a purpose-built church, the site on which the Examination Council building now stands. When the church began to meet in the former school house, it was referred to as the “Tin Tabernacle”. It was purchased by George Richard Hobson who had been Treasurer of the Anglican Church in 1890 and was responsible for raising funds (in 1890-91) for the “Old English Church” on the site of what is now Moposo House. Non-conformist at the time, he took the leading part in working with the Wesleyan (Methodist) and Presbyterian churches. When he left, the time was ripe to found a Non-Conformist Church in Maseru. Little is known of the period between the founding of the church and the construction of the present building in 1948. The Church was apparently served by Methodist ministers from 1908-24 coming from Ladybrand where a Methodist Church had been built in 1896. But from 1924 onwards the Methodist Ministers lived in Maseru as headquarters and served the Methodist Church in Ladybrand from there. Details of those ministers, with dates, can be found in J.A. Bosch’s Ladybrand 1867-1967. Because of the circuit system, none served more than four years. In the June 19, 1934 issue of the “Basutoland News”, mention is made of the unveiling of a brass tablet upon which was inscribed, “To the memory of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Hobson in recognition of their loving and faithful services to the church.” At that time, the Rev. F. Cosnett, Methodist Minister of Ladybrand and Maseru, 1930-34 (resident in Maseru), conducted special services in the church which were filled with members of MUC and other congregations. During the services, it was said of the Hobsons, “I understand that before the church was founded, mainly through their instrumentality, Mr. and Mrs. Hobson took an active part in the life and work of the Anglican Church, although they were not actually members thereof. They took a broad catholic (universal) view of the Christian religion and were actuated by no narrow sectarian spirit when they founded this little church. All they wished was to be keepers of their own consciences, and to be attached to a church which left them at liberty to worship and take their Communion wheresoever else they might please to do so. Members of several religious bodies worship in this church, such as the Church of Scotland, and other Presbyterians, the Wesleyans, the Dutch Reformed Church and the Paris Evangelical Mission when they happen to come this way. Mr. Hobson would never admit that he was Presbyterian or anything else except a Christian. Although they were so broad in their sympathies, Mr. and Mrs. Hobson were bound up, heart and soul, in promoting the work and welfare of this little congregation.” The earliest entry in the Communicants book is for 1935. At that time there were approximately 70 Methodist and 52 Presbyterian communicants. A dispatch in the December 7, 1948 “Basutoland News” announcing the laying of the foundation stone of the new United Church building provides some insights into the building of the church. For years the congregation had felt the need for a more permanent building and one that was worthy of worship of the Almighty. In 1944, a donation by Ralph Willates inspired the determination of the congregation to go ahead with plans for a new church building. Between 1944 and 1947, mainly through the efforts of the women of the church, almost R100 was raised for the building fund. In response to an appeal for help, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the Dutch Reformed Church and the Presbyterian Church of South Africa gave R200 each. The Paris Evangelical Missionary Society sent an unsolicited donation. Mr. Archibald, Principal of Lerotholi Technical College, gave a substantial donation and offered to carry out the work of architect and supervisory of the construction. The site for the church was granted by the Basutoland government. “I declare this stone well and truly laid.” With these words, W.S. Blight laid the cornerstone on December 1, 1948, and the present sanctuary was begun. In attendance at the ceremony were members of the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed congregations. Mr. and Mrs. Hobson were honoured with the carved stone pulpit in their memory. It is likely that the small stone from Iona, Scotland, built into the lowest step of the pulpit was brought to Lesotho by the Presbyterians. The next building to be constructed was the church hall in 1957. By 1959 there were 100 communicants. This number dropped to 65 after independence, when many ex-patriates left the country. Church services were conducted by members of the three founding churches. It was probably during the 1950’s that the Dutch Reformed Church ceased conducting services in the church. The Methodist and Presbyterians continued sharing the church with the resident Methodist minister having pastoral oversight of church matters. An early missionary who served the church was Tom Elliot. Other known names of ministers during this period are three who served from 1963 onward: the Reverends Harry Irons, Peter Huxtable, and Hedley Sleath. In the early 1960’s the Rev. Harry Irons established a joint Sunday School which alternated between Maseru United Church and St. John’s Anglican. By 1970, membership had dwindled and the church was in a poor financial position and unable to pay the traveling expenses of the visiting ministers and the allowance of the resident Methodist minister who held most of the services. The Rev. Griffith of Thaba Nchu, who was in charge of the Methodist circuit, met with Mr. Olivier, a committee member of the Dutch Reformed Church in Ladybrand and Professor Roberts, the circuit secretary, at the home of the Rev. Haverman in Ladybrand in 1971. It was agreed to have two Methodist services each month, one Presby-terian and visiting ministers would be invited to preach on the fourth Sunday. However, at about the same time, the resident Methodist minister, the Rev. Hedley Sleath, told the church that he was no longer prepared to hold services at the church on the grounds that the church was not racially integrated. (Hedley Sleath wrote a book entitled A Decade with the Basotho (1988), but it has nothing about MUC, although much about other Methodist activation in Lesotho. This statement is recorded in an interview with Mr. Sleath’s widow, although I suspect it might have been a statement by just one of the Management Committee. I suggest the quotation be either substantiated or omitted.) As a result, while the Methodist Church retained its interest in the building, services continued to be held with the Presbyterian ministers once a month and guest speakers taking the services on the other three Sundays in the month. As the situation was not satisfactory, an extraordinary General Meeting was held in October, 1973. Factors influencing the calling of the meeting were:
At the meeting, Alan Businitz, a committee member of the church and part of the Mennonite Mission, offered that the Mennonites might supply a pastor for an ecumenical church. This was agreed to by the General Meeting and the Rev. Brian Woods, the last active pastor of the three founding churches, consulted with the Presbyterian Synod who agreed to this proposal. Rev. James Bertsche, the Executive Secretary of the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, based in Elkhart, Indiana, USA, met with representatives of the church. A statement of understanding was drawn up between the church and the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, in which the Mission agreed to supply a pastor for the ecumenical church. The first Mennonite couple to serve the church was the Rev. Robert Gerhart and his wife, Joyce, who served from November 1974 to January, 1981. Under the Gerharts’ leadership, the church grew and developed. Prior to that time, services had been held each Sunday evening to facilitate the participation of guest ministers who usually preached at their own churches on Sunday mornings. At first the morning services were held once a month while the evening services continued. Later, morning services were held weekly and became more popular than the evening services. An interdenominational Sunday School was begun in 1974 with the Rev. Gerhart as the superintendent. Fellowship of the congregation was facilitated with teas, held at first in the homes of members of the congregation, and later in the church hall, which was enlarged in 1980. A church constitution was prepared and adopted with amendments on April 7, 1978. The church was instrumental in the establishment of a branch of Scripture Union in Lesotho. The Rev. Gerhart and Patrick Whittle, of the National University of Lesotho, were active in founding this ecumenical group which works with secondary school and university students. The Gerharts were away for home leave from August, 1978 until the following August. During that time, the Rev. Ronald Krehbiel and his wife, Cynthia, were appointed by the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission to serve the church. The Gerharts finished their pastoral leadership in January, 1981. The church then had no resident pastor until March, 1982 when the Rev. Virgil Gerig and his wife, Mary Kay, came and led the church until January, 1984. At that time, the Rev. Harris Waltner and his wife, Christine, began their ministry with the church and the community. When the Waltners arrived, many members of the congregation were from the United Kingdom and North America with few Asians and Africans. During the years between 1984 and 1990, there was a major increase in the number of Africans in the church. The church became a meeting ground for Christians from as many as 26 nations on a single Sunday morning. The Management Committee, responsible for the affairs of the church, was composed of seven members. In 1985, there were four from the United Kingdom and three from the United States. In 1986, the proportions changed, but all committee members were still from these two nations. However, by 1989, the Committee was chaired by a Mosotho with the rest of the committee membership consisting of one Korean, one German, one New Zealander, one Ugandan and two Americans. The Material Aid Committee, first formed around 1980 to respond to physical needs of the community, was very active during the late 80’s. Donations of food were collected at Christmas and distributed. In May, a collection was made of used winter clothing and blankets and was given to people who needed it. In conjunction with the Global Evangelical Mission, a prison Christmas party was arranged each year for the juvenile and women prisoners in Maseru. An education building was constructed in 1986-1987 and dedicated on July 19, 1987. Prior to the construction of the building, the children came to the church for the first part of the service and then went into the Sunday School. It was necessary for several classes to meet outside in the church yard. With the new education building, children have been enabled to have their own junior worship before Sunday School. Through the use of the building and rented space from the British Council, the 100 children who usually attend are enabled to grow spiritually with the help of about 20 adult leaders. The church was active during the week as well as on Sundays. There were up to twelve different small groups, which met during the week for worship, study and fellowship. The use of the education building and grounds for a pre-school had continued since the early 1970’s. Alcoholics Anonymous groups began meeting in the church during 1986, and have continued regularly to this day. In 1990, church attendance usually numbered around 130-170 adults in two services including about 75 Covenant Members. Serious consideration was then given to enlarging the sanctuary. A master plan was drawn up to explore means whereby the sanctuary could be expanded and the education facilities made adequate. The Sanctuary was extended in 1992 to allow a maximum congregation of 170 compared to the previous capacity of 100. The cost of the extension was raised by the congregation through persistent fund raising activities. The German Embassy was a major contributor. The Rev. Harris Waltner and his wife completed their service to the church on July 31, 1990. Rev. Glen Koop and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) arrived from Canada by September, 1990. Glen Koop was a Bible School lecturer as well as a Pastor and much sterling spiritual work was carried out by the couple, who left Maseru in July, 1992. Bob Blake of Mission Aviation Fellowship then took over as Interim Pastor from Rev. Koop and was assisted by his wife, Sue, a teacher at Maseru Prep. School. Bob’s interim tenure lasted for a period of 5 months, ending in August, 1992, when the Blake family returned to the USA. Their leadership was characterized by compassion, understanding and spiritual industriousness. Bob Blake was succeeded as residential Pastor by former missionary Brian deSmidt, who spoke the country’s language – Sesotho – fluently, as did his wife, Kathy and his children, Matthew, Rachel and Jason. Brian deSmidt of African Inland Mission, took over as pastor from January 1993 to December 1996. There was no pastor during 1997 and 1998, the Bryan R. Pinches, British Baptist Minister, ordained in 1963, accompanied by his wife, Eve, became Pastor in January 1999 on a two-year contract, which they extended for a further two years to the end of December, 2002. During the tenures of both Brian and Bryan, the changes that had first become apparent during the 1980’s continued to affect the life of MUC. By the Millennium celebration in the year 2000, MUC could count 33 countries represented in its congregation. These were: Australia, Burma, CAR, Cameroon, Canada, China, DRC, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Holland, India, Ireland, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, USA, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Although still mainly expatriate, the makeup of the congregation became increasingly African and fewer from Europe and America. A head count of denominations of origin indicated a similar diversity. Church life continued as before with significant activities being:
New activities included support to the small churches established at Katse and Mohale Dam sites, to serve isolated construction camp congregations, and to the annual Vacation Bible School School in Maseru. Physical changes to the church included moving the “Hobson Pulpit” from the centre to the side of the sanctuary to provide a more flexible worship space. The church sound system was upgraded and a TV/Video installed for video backed programmes such as Alpha--Life Worth Living and studies of Acts of the Apostles. At the approach of midnight on December 31, 1999, 120 members of the congregation gathered to raise a 5-metre high real-size Cross carrying the dates 0000-2000, mindful that the millennium celebration was first and foremost a Christian event. The Youth Group continued to be source of strength to many, continually being reformed under the names Lejope, Joy, Awana, MUCky Club, etc. Also the Koinonia Sunday choir was established. 1998 was difficult year for MUC, as it was for Lesotho. For three months following elections in June, Palace Road became Freedom Square, with hundreds of protestors maintaining a 24-hour vigil outside the palace gates and often inside the church grounds. In the ensuing engagement with SADC forces, the NW corner of the church sustained a few direct hits. Despite the turmoil, a service was held every Sunday – sometimes with only 20 or so in the congregation. The 1978 MUC Constitution was updated several times – most recently in 1999. This was always a tough assignment given the wide range of denominational preferences that had to be accommodated. The Sunday School continued as a crucial ministry of MUC. It cannot be known for sure, whether generations of MUC children have actually taken their Sunday School teaching with them when they left Maseru and scattered throughout the world. What can be observed is the trouble and cost they are prepared to go to sustain friendships forged in Maseru. (This history was written by Agnes Davis in June, 1989 and was updated by Harris Waltner in June, 1990 and by James McCloy in March, 2002) NOTES
(The recent history, since about 1975, can be documented in a monthly periodical which has been duplicated under these titles, “News ‘n’ Notes”, “Maseru United Church Newsletter”, “Maseru United Church.” ) . |
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