HISTORY OF THE PRINGLE BAY UNITED CHURCH
The early history of Pringle Bay United Church is a lesson of a small band of men going out in faith to plant a new church in the small coastal village of Pringle Bay.
In 1999, Colonels Eddie and Bennie de Vos, after retiring from their service in Nigeria where Eddie had served as the Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army, arrived to further develop the strong foundation established by Colin Kain. They dedicated seven years of faithful service before being succeeded by The Reverend Gavin Graham, the retired Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Eastern Free State, and his wife Maureen. Rev. Graham concluded his ministry in December 2025. In February 2026, Dr. Leon Keller and his wife Janette were officially welcomed as the new pastoral couple of our congregation.
Dr. Keller brings 31 years of full-time ministry experience from South Africa and Scotland.
PRINGLE BAY UNITED CHURCH MINISTRIES
Sunday Services at 9am
The Bible Study Group meets every Tuesday at 9.30am
The Vine Groups are a vital aspect of the work of the church, facilitating keeping in touch with our members in times of need or stress.
Loaves and Fishes is an Outreach Program whereby we try to help those in need in our congregation and the community with foodstuffs and household necessities.
Christmas Meals: Our congregation joins other churches in the area to provide festive meals at Christmas time to many who would otherwise go without.
KidsCan! Our congregation aids and supports this After School Program for underprivileged children in Kleinmond.
Warm Garment Month: Each year in May we have a drive to collect warm clothing and other items for distribution among the needy in our community.
Pringle House School Ministry: Members of our congregation visit the school to share God’s word with the children by means of activities, stories and song.
Banner Ministry: A group of ladies in the church use their creative talents to make beautiful wall hangings, each of which brings with it a message reminding us of God’s love and care.
A unique picture taken in 2008 – Pringle Bay United Church Pastoral Leaders from the past:
Eddie & Bennie de Vos, Colin Kain, Gavin & Maureen
In the Beginning…
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:16
The early history of Pringle Bay United Church is a lesson of a small band of men going out in faith to plant a new church in the small coastal village of Pringle Bay.
THE REV. COLIN KAIN
Minister of Pringle Bay United Church from 1988 to 1999
In December 1985 the Rev Colin Kain (B.Sc(Civil); B.Com; M.B.L.; B.Th.(Hon)), an ordained retired minister of the Methodist Church of South Africa, began conducting non-denominational services from his home on the Point, and so it was that a small number of permanent residents in the area commenced worshiping regularly at 46 Penguin Road. The small group soon grew, with attendance numbers being considerably augmented during holiday periods – there were about 90 people at the first Christmas service, while at the first Easter Sunday sunrise communion service on the beach in 1987, over 100 were present.
Looking to the future, it was decided to ask the minister of the Somerset West Methodist Church to approach the Caledon Divisional Council for a church site for a non-denominational Church similar to the United Church at Hermanus. Services would be held in English and Afrikaans as required, and the minister appointed would be from whatever denomination the Church Council recommended.
The Divisional Council subsequently recommended that a portion of Erf 1660 be made available.
The Pringle Bay Ratepayers Association at that time required a venue for their meetings and their Executive recommended to the Divisional Council that a more central site (Erf 397) be made available instead of Erf 1660, as the church had agreed to them using the proposed church hall for suitable activities. The Divisional Council concurred with this, and in due course the Provincial Administration agreed to the transfer being effected at a cost of R1 plus transfer costs, which would be paid by the church members on behalf of the Methodist Church.
On the 24th April 1988 the Pringle Bay United Church (non-denominational) was constituted; the Declaration of Faith and Constitution was drawn up and accepted. The following Board of Management was also appointed: Minister – The Rev Colin Kain; Chairman – Mr. Harry Oram; Treasurer – Mrs. Sue Vardy; Secretary – Mrs. Vera Barichievy. The meeting was attended by 9 members: The Rev & Mrs Kain, Mr H Oram, Mrs Vardy, Mrs Hester Keirsgister, Mrs Kotze, Mr & Mrs Snoek and Mrs Vera Barichievy.
Mrs Hester Keirsgister is the only remaining member still attending our church.
Starting to Build
Later in 1988 the clearing of the site (Erf 397) was undertaken and the foundations were laid.
On the 14th January 1989 the church funds stood at R7,000, but it was felt that at least R15,000 was needed to start building operations. Mr Harry Oram,The Rev. Colin Kain and Mr Keith Anderson between them provided R10,000 as an interest-free loan (which has since be repaid), and these three intrepid men then took trowel and spade in hand and commenced building operations.
Here is an excerpt from an account of the building proceedings written by Harry Oram himself:
“Early in 1989 work was commenced and the foundation stone was laid on June 24th of that year. We laboured long days and except for one setback – part of a wall was blown down – we kept to our schedule and by Christmas the section which is now the vestry, the choir and the pulpit area plus the kitchen was roofed, painted and ready for services. A noble effort!
“The next two years we devoted to mixing mortar, flinging and catching bricks, heaving buckets of heavy mortar up to ever higher scaffolding until the time came when we had accomplished what we set out to do. Of course I cannot speak for Colin and Keith but I myself experienced a sense of relief accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of pride!!
We had achieved our objective!! Three pensioners had built a church!
The Laying of the Foundation Stone
Last Phases of the Building Process
In 1997 a bequest from a Pringle Bay resident enabled the church to be considerably extended to its present size. The Dedication Ceremony took place on 24th May 1997.
The Wall of Remembrance
