Baptist church in SA Archives

[Lorand]

Hi Danchaslyn,

You may be able to get some record of your grandfather, Thomas Aitkin from the Baptist Theological College in Randburg, Transvaal.  The president of the college was Rev Dr Rex Mathie.

 When I lived in Durban and worked for the CESA in Pinetown, Dr Mathie often preached as a guest speaker.  This was in 1980's, so not sure if Rex Mathie is still there, but the college would may have records of your grandfather, though he lived in the Cape.

Hope you manage to get a photo of him soon.

Lorand

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hello Lorand

Well, well, your advice is certainly a new avenue to explore!  thank you!   

As Thomas Aitken lived and preached in the Cape, Eastern Cape and Natal, and also, come to think of it, Germiston, in the Transvaal, the Baptist Theological College in Randburg, may well have some records on him.   

I'll google and see if I can get a contact email address for the College.   

Yes, a picture would make me so happy, also to know his history of his last years in Scotland, round about 1890 - 1895?   

Cheers

Danchaslyn
 

[Danchaslyn]

 

Hello Lorand

Thank you so much for the info on the BTC Southern Africa, in Randburg, Gauteng.   

I now have the mail address of their archivist to write to.   

Your Rev Dr Rex Mathie must have retired, as the Principal is now, Dr Martin Pohlmann.     

Again, thank you so much, I've waited since the beginning of April for someone to please post who to contact in SA to contact the BU Archives!   

Cheers

Danchaslyn
 

[pasdlm]

Dear Danchaslyn,

Here is some information about the Rev Thomas Aitken. The information I have about Rev Aitken, is what I can get from the book, “By Taking Heed – the History of Baptists in Southern Africa”, by Sydney Hudson-Reed.

1897 -1905  -   Pastor on St Helena Island. After moving to South Africa,

1905 -1910  -   Pastor of the Walmer Road Baptist Church, Port Elizabeth

1910 -1913  -  Pastor of the Lambert Road Baptist Church, Durban

1913 -1918  -  Pastor of the Bulwer Road Baptist Church, Durban

1918 -1920  -  Pastor of the Wynberg Baptist Church, Cape Town

1920 -1923  -  Pastor of Germiston Baptist Church, Transvaal

1924 -1934  -  Pastor of the Taylor Street Baptist Church in King Williams Town

He was elected President of the Baptist Union of South Africa in 1917 at the Bloemfontein Assembly

He was also Secretary of the Baptist Union of SA  from April,1919 – January,1935 (obviously in a part-time capacity)

1935 – He passed away.

I spoke to my 96 year old father this evening because he lived in King Williams Town from his birth until 1934. He and my grandparents were members of the Taylor Street Baptist Church in KWT and so my father as a young person remembers him well. My grandparents were involved in a tragic level crossing accident in 1930 and Rev Aitken took my father into his home until the recovery of my grandfather. Unfortunately my grandmother died.

Hope this little bit of information helps you.

[Lorand]

Hi Pasdlm,

Just saw you post re Rev Thomas Aitken.  I know that Danchaslyn will be thrilled to get it.  You mentioned that your dad lived in King Williams Town and I wondered if he knew my mother's family who lived there at the time, though they would have attended the Presby. church.
The surname is McCall:
Archibald, a butcher.
Mary, his wife
Janet,
Chrissie
James

My mum, Janet McCall, would have gone to school in KWT in the early 1930's

Lorand

[pasdlm]

Hi Lorand,

My father is very frail and his memory is far from what it should be. Not surprising for one who will be 97 in a few months. I was very surprised when he said he remembered Thomas Aitken.
My father lives in frail care in East London, South Africa. I live in Scotland and we speak over the phone periodically.
It is possible though that he might remember your family. Will ask him next time I phone.
My grandfather, William Munday, born in the UK, was a General Dealer in KWT (shop in Alexander Street, I think). My father left KWT in 1934 to start work in EL, where he has lived eversince.
Thank you for your response.

[Lorand]

Hi Pasdlm,

Thanks for your reply.  Please don't worry your dad unnecessarily, especially as he is now frail and so far away from you. 

My mum's family also went to EL where she attended high school and then on to J'burg.  They were all fairly big places so he may not remember.

Kind regards
Lorand

[lubbyloo]

Hi,

I have just been searching for information about my grandfather and his father, this is a long shot! but I noticed that you had information on Baptist Churches in South Africa, I know your father was 97 last September so I know it may be difficult to ask this.

Do you know anything about a Baptist Church in Port Elizabeth? Queens Street? this is where my great grandfather Thomas James Councell (supposedly a pastor later in 1920's 1930's) & Magureta Harris were married in 1903, they had a son Sydney Councell in 1905, they then came back to Bournemouth and it seems that they seperated although never divorced.

Then in 1933 Thomas Councell was killed in an accident on the eve of coming back to South Africa on a missionary trip with a Rev Hutchinson Dennis, they were part of the apastolic faith church in Bournemouth.

I know this is a lot of vague information but it's all we have and just wondered if on the off chance you may know or have any information which would help us.

Many thanks
Louise

[Danchaslyn]

Hi Lubbyloo

Try the link on the post number 6 to help you get info on the Baptist Church in Port Elizabeth at the time of your Grandfather's marriage.

Do you have any further details of the tragic accident of 1933, which killed Thomas James Councell? Such as in which area it occurred and the exact date?