When you enter into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Strand Street, it is impossible not to see this church’s great history. The architecture alone points you in the direction of the many layers and components of the story this church has to tell and is still telling.
On my team’s first full fledged day of looking for ministries and contacts, this church is the one that had open doors. It is located in the downtown area of Cape Town, and my teammates and I walked in with a hope and prayer. We saw it was a church and decided to go for it. Once we entered, we were warmly greeted and given a transcendent tour of the property.
The history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church is a testimony in itself. The church was built in 1771. It was actually built as a church, but rather it was a warehouse building that the Lutheran community used as a meeting place. Throughout the Dutch occupation of the Cape area in the late 18th century, the only religious practice allowed was the Dutch Reformed Church. So in order to escape religious persecution and to continue to openly worship God, the Lutherans used this warehouse facade for their church.
However, the most powerful part of this testimony is not their history of religious persecution. Rather it is the church’s continued dedication to worshiping and serving the Lord. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Strand Street is the oldest church building that is still functioning in South Africa. While at the church, I was privileged to speak with their chairman a Mr. Dudley Malgas. Mr. Malgas shared with me the many ways the church participates and supports their local community. Between youth ministries and adult outreaches, they actively encourage a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. With different orphanages, after school programs, and soup kitchens, this church pours God’s love into the community around them. Their mission is: As disciples of Christ, we are called and sent to: listen, support, care, and love the people of our city. I have no doubt that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Strand Street is accomplishing just that.
Please join me in praying for this church. Please pray for the continuing outpouring of God’s love. That the congregation may be united in the Spirit. And that they continue to seek after God so that their history will only continue to grow as they reach for the Lord.
