OUR HISTORY
1907
The story began in 1907 when Mr. Walker, a local potter, decided to start an
Interdenominational Sunday School for all English-speaking children in Kempton Park.
There were no church buildings in Kempton Park at the time;
even the Dutch Reformed Church was holding services in the school hall.
1915
The Sunday School started with eight children present on the first Sunday.
Soon the majority of the English-speaking children in Kempton Park began attending this Sunday School.
As it grew, Mr. Walker and a group of teachers decided to build a little wood and iron hall.
This was Kempton Park’s very first church and became lovingly known as the ‘Little Tin Tab’ (Tabernacle),
which opened on Saturday, 9 October 1915.
1933
With the building completed, it was decided to arrange Sunday services for the parents.
Each Sunday a different minister would be asked to speak.
Thus, the Tin Tab became a truly interdenominational community church
for most of the English-speaking residents of Kempton Park.
As new churches were established, some of the people naturally joined up with their own denominations.
However, many remained with the church and formed an interdenominational fellowship in 1933.
A committee was elected to run the church whilst ministers from various denominations were invited to preach.
1953
In 1953, the Tin Tab was replaced by a brick building called the WALKER MEMORIAL HALL,
in memory of Mr. Walker. The church became known as the WALKER MEMORIAL CHURCH.
1971
In 1971, Rev. Deryck Stone was called as the resident pastor. Having our own pastor,
the church grew steadily and eventually resulted in accommodation problems in the old building.
So, the search began for a new property.
1982 – 1983
Building began in February 1982 and twenty months later,
on 10 October 1983, the new building was officially opened.
1999
It wasn’t long and this building became too small so construction began again.
In 1999, a new 3,000-seater Auditorium, Maranatha’s current home, was opened.
It includes a chapel and the popular coffee shop, Cafe M.
The old church buildings were put to good use and now house a Youth and Young Adult facility
(including the Next Gen Coffee Shop, games area, and climbing wall)
as well as classrooms and offices for Maranatha Christian School.
TODAY
Maranatha Community Church has grown from strength to strength!
As God has added to our numbers, our facilities have also grown in size and function,
along with the addition of a Counselling Centre to serve the needs of our members.