It was an end of an era and the start of a new one, as the Durbanville Community Church (DCC), held its first service in its new church building in Vierlanden on Sunday November 20.
The church has held its services at Reddam House Durbanville for 10 years and the first service at the new building, albeit a “test run”, marked a significant turning point for it.
Construction on the corner of Boland Way and De Keur Road started in May and was done by church member Doug Penfold.
The church started in the lounge of one of the members with about 15 people 12 years ago, said Mr Parris.
After their members grew to about 40, the church merged with another one in the area and rented a space on top of Vee’s Videos on Main Street, Durbanville, where it ran a street children’s ministry.
Later it moved to Reddam House.
Mr Parris said they wanted the church to be more than just a church.
“We are so used to having a church on every corner and a place where people go on a Sunday. We want to show the surrounding communities that it is about so much more,” he said.
The church has a built-in braai and pizza oven for social gatherings and to encourage community interaction.
“We want to spark people’s curiosity as they drive past and see the gatherings taking place here, which will hopefully prompt them to come and pop in at the church,” said Mr Parris.
The DCC wanted to break the stereotype of what a church was supposed to be.
The church also has: a youth area, which will be fitted with a pool table and table tennis board; a children’s area with two classrooms; and a baby room. There are also plans to open a coffee bar soon.
The church can hold about 300 people. The congregation numbered 200 with an equal mix of young and old, said Mr Parris.
The church bought the property more than 10 years ago but did not have the funds to build at the time.
DCC members are involved in various outreach programmes and have helped for a number of years in Klipheuwel, where they have run a soccer club, children’s programmes and a mixed-martial-arts programme, as well as a service every Sunday night.
DCC also established computer lab in Klipheuwel, after a farmer offered them land.
“Our desire is not to think inward but to reach out to people in the community but also people outside of our immediate community,” said Mr Parris.
The official opening is on Sunday December 4, with guest preacher Bishop Frank Retief.
The youth meet at the church on Fridays at 7.30pm and church services start at 9.15am on Sundays.