The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Reformed Churches in South Africa
REFORMED CHURCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA. The Union of South Africa contains six Reformed Churches. The oldest of these is the Dutch Reformed Church of the Cape province, dating from 1652 and numbering about 160 congregations, some of which are located in Rhodesia and Mashonaland. Its theological seminary is in Stellenbosch Three missionary training schools and several philanthropic institutions are maintained by this Church, which in liturgy, doctrine and polity is in accord with the other reformed churches of Dutch origin. Both psalms and hymns are sung in public worship. The highest church court, the Synod, meets as a rule every three years. The Dutch Reformed Church in the Orange Free State became independent from the Cape Church in 1853. It numbers 61 congregations. In the Transvaal province the Dutch Reformed Church, dating from 1866, reports an enrolment of 71 churches, while the Natal denomination of the same name numbers seven congregations. Since 1906 the Dutch Reformed Churches of these four provinces have a common bond of union in their “Federal Council” which secures their co-operation in many ways. The weekly organ of these churches is De Kerkbode, Capetown. A vigorous mission work is carried on by the above-named denominations within their own territory as well as north and south of the Zambesi River. Some Boer missionaries labor in the Sudan. De Koningsbode is the missionary monthly. As a result of this missionary activity among the African natives over 100,000 persons belong to their “mission churches.” They form synods of their own. The Reformed Church in South Africa, a body composed of about 80 congregations, dates from 1858, when its founders seceded from the Dutch Reformed Church. It is found in the Cape Province, Free State and Transvaal. Psalms are used in public worship, and not any hymns. The theological school of the denomination is located in Potchefstroom. Church organ, Het Kerkblad. This body is very conservative. Mission work is carried on among the natives, although on a small scale. Much stress is laid on the erection and maintenance of free Christian primary schools. The late President Kruger was one of the leading men of this denomination, usually known as the “Doppler Church.” The Reformed (Hervormde) Church of Transvaal is the smallest Dutch denomination in the Union of South Africa. Dating from 1853, it has been unable to pass beyond the boundary lines of the Transvaal, and in 1918 reported 32,500 souls. Its seminary is in Pretoria. The Reformed Church numbers 35,000 souls. The four Dutch Reformed churches total (1918) 525,000 souls — of whom about 150,000 are communicants. African Dutch is fast becoming the official language of all the denominations mentioned above, instead of the Holland language as hitherto.