History

SOUTHDALE BAPTIST CHURCH - A PARTIAL CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

BY PROF. ARTHUR SONG (PASTOR: 1963-1979)

1952. Mrs. AS Rabie, the Afrikaans teacher started the initial work among students of the Kuo Ting High School started

by Mrs. AS. Rabie, Afrikaans teacher. Assisted by Mr & Mrs. HW Pudney, Mr. Norman Cliff, Mr & Mrs Beaton and

Mrs. Van Someron and other concerned Christians.

1954. Oct. 19 Chinese baptised by Rev. JL Green, at the Rosebank Union Church, Johannesburg.

1955. 7 Chinese baptised at the Rosebank Union Church.

1957. January. 3 baptised at the Rosebank Union Church.

1957. 28 April. 3 baptised at the Rosebank Union Church

1957. 16 June. 2 baptised by Rev. Keith Reid at the Troyeville Baptist Church.

1962. 22 November. Chinese Baptist Church Ministerial Committee (Belfast Building) recommends Mr. Arthur Song as

Assistant Pastor.

1962. 16 December. Mr. A. Song assumes duties as Assistant Pastor under Dr. CW Parnell. (one week after graduating and getting married!)

1963. Assistant Pastor Song sent by Church to serve as resident missionary to Port Elizabeth for three months.

1963. 23 June . Sunday school started.

1963. 13 November. Pastor Song ordained as South Africa’s first Protestant minister of the gospel at the Jhb Central Baptist Church.

1968. April. South African Baptist magazine report: Chinese church plans to set up a Chinese Church centre . Manse-cum

-small hostel for out of town Chinese students, youth work and “nerve centre: for outreach work along the Reef.

1969 June-July Visit by Pastor Stephen Wang, London. Founder:Chinese Overseas Christian Mission

1970. Sept. Church roll stands at 56

1971 18 April. Rev. Harry Campbell inducted as Associate Pastor by Rev.Dr. JN Jonsson

1971 July Rev. Arthur Song departs for a year of study in Hong Kong.

1972 Church Planning Committee: Three-year plan instituted

1975 28 September. Official opening service of the Chinese Church in Southdale. Preacher: Rev.WT Edmunds, President

Elect, Baptist Union of Southern Africa and SA Baptist Missionary Society.

1976 January. Christian Care for Elderly Chinese (CCEC) founded by Rev. A. Song, Mr. Shou Low Fok and Mrs IM Brown.

CCEC developed from Pastor and Mr. Fok helping elderly to apply for Old Age Pension and other official documents.

After the Old Age Home (OAH) scheme was disbanded, the Patron of the OAH scheme, Consul General Lo Ming

Yuan became the patron of CCEC.

1976 The Church becomes involved with the Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism (CCCOWE), and seeks to

draw in other Chinese evangelistic groups in Jhb. CCCWE appoints Pastor Song as Chairman for Africa.

1979. November. Rev. Song resigns from the church to further his studies in Cape Town. and leaves Jhb by train on 4 February 1980.

1980. Southdale Baptist celebrates 25 years of service for God

1985. 29 September. Dedication service of the Church manse.

1986 February. Ten Year Anniversary of CCEC. Mr. SL Fok organizes SA’s 2nd “Yum Cha” at the Chinese Cultural Centre (Old Kuo Ting High School) in Doornfontein.

1987 6 December. Thanksgiving Service for CCEC. Preacher: Prof. A. Song (founder) at Southdale Baptist Church.

1991. 30 June. Thanksgiving Service for the final payment of the bond on the Church Manse. Guest Speaker: Dr. CW Parnell.

2004. 21 November. Southdale Baptist Church 50th Anniversary celebrations