Westridge New Apostolic Church Celebrates 45th Anniversary in Mitchells Plain

The New Apostolic Church Westridge Congregation in Mitchells Plain celebrated its 45th anniversary, reflecting on its journey of faith, community service, and spiritual growth. The event, held on September 12, featured a choral concert showcasing the church’s various choir groups, orchestra, and organist, performing sacred classical pieces and hymns.

The congregation’s history dates back to 1975, when the first residents began settling in the area. At that time, parishioners expressed a need for a place of worship and applied to the local municipality for a site. Before the construction of the current church building, which was inaugurated on September 6, 1981, members gathered in humble residences and local school buildings for divine services.

District elder Bernard Scholtz noted that the Westridge congregation was the first official New Apostolic Church in Mitchells Plain. He highlighted the congregation’s growth from approximately 45 members to over 800, attributing this expansion to the faithfulness of God’s people, the dedication of generations of ministers, and the unwavering commitment of members who contributed to the church’s development.

Former rector Edmund Petersen recalled the congregation’s early years, when he took over from the first rector, William Dodgen, who served until September 1995. Petersen emphasized that the celebration was not merely about the building but about the faithfulness, upliftment, and spiritual growth of the parishioners, whom he referred to as the “Mother Church of Mitchells Plain.”

Throughout its history, the congregation has been served by local rectors who provided spiritual leadership and supported members and families. Petersen shared various happy, sad, and historic moments in the church’s journey, underscoring its role in bringing people together and advancing the work of the Lord in the community.

Rector Priest Randall Abrahams described the church as a spiritual sanctuary, community pillar, and center of vibrant musical expression for generations of families over the past four and a half decades. The afternoon event offered an opportunity for reflection on the congregation’s journey and tributes to the dedicated ministers, youth leaders, and congregants who contributed to its vibrant foundation.

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