Our Beliefs
The Triune God
We believe in one true God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In His love, grace, and sovereignty, God created, sustains, rules, redeems, and will judge the world. We affirm the divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Bible—the Old and New Testaments—which is fully trustworthy as God’s written Word for faith and conduct.
Humanity and Jesus Christ
We uphold the dignity of all people, as everyone is made in God’s image; however, we recognize the reality of sin, which incurs divine judgment. Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, was born of the virgin Mary—truly God and truly human, yet without sin. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He paid the price for sin and reconciled us with God. We believe in His bodily resurrection, ascension, and ongoing reign as the world’s only Saviour.
Salvation and the Holy Spirit
We are justified solely by God’s grace through faith in Christ. The Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, gives us new life, empowers us as disciples, and enables our witness. Together, the local and universal church forms the body of Christ, where all believers serve as priests, gifted by the Spirit to worship, proclaim the Gospel, and act justly in love.
Our Future Hope
We look toward the personal return of Jesus Christ. He will judge all people, granting eternal life to the redeemed and eternal separation to the lost, while establishing a new heaven and a new earth.
Our Congregational Core
Congregational Tradition and Affiliation
Claremont Congregational Church is rooted in the Congregational tradition and is a proud member of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). While we value this connection to the broader body, we remain a self-governing local church. We believe that Christ alone is the head of the Church, and we operate under the principle of the “priesthood of all believers,” where every member holds a vital voice and a personal responsibility in the life and health of our congregation
Church Leadership and Decision-Making
Our governance is democratic and participative. Important decisions are made collectively by the congregation at regular members’ meetings, including our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March and general meetings held in July and November. To facilitate the daily leadership, administration, and spiritual life of the church, the congregation elects Deacons. These individuals serve alongside the Minister to provide pastoral care and oversight. Together, we are committed to worshiping faithfully, caring deeply, and serving generously as we bear witness to Christ in our community.
Our Values
- We are a community-oriented church, rooted in authentic relationships.
- We value integrity, openness, and honesty.
- We seek unity in diversity, embracing cross-generational worship where every age and stage has a place.
- We commit to serving one another and our broader community, showing our faith through action and care.
- Our life together is marked by simple honesty and a commitment to walking alongside each other in faith.
Our History
Early Origins and Founding
The story of Claremont Congregational Church began in the 1840s, a time when Claremont was still a largely rural landscape of estates. As the local community of Protestant, non-conformist Christians grew, Thomas Mathew of Harfield Cottage recognized the need for a dedicated place of worship outside the established Anglican church. He initially hosted Sunday School classes in a rondavel on his property before constructing a larger chapel, which was dedicated on 18 June 1840. This date marks the official founding of our congregation. In those early years, the chapel became a notable site of witness, hosting renowned missionaries such as Robert Moffat, Dr. David Livingstone, and Dr. John Philip of the London Missionary Society.
Building a Lasting Home
By the mid-1870s, the original chapel could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. In 1877, a new church was constructed on the opposite side of Main Road through the joint efforts and funding of Henry Mathew Arderne, Ralph Henry Arderne, and Henry Beard. Built for £350 using local materials, the structure featured thick unbaked brick walls, sturdy buttresses, and a traditional thatched roof. Formally opened on 9 November 1877, the building continued to evolve alongside its members. In 1892, the addition of two transepts and an entrance porch gave the church its distinctive cruciform shape. While economic hardships following the Anglo-Boer War halted plans for a larger neo-Gothic cathedral, the community instead focused on practical growth, eventually building the present hall.
A Living Legacy in Claremont
The church continued to modernize and adapt throughout the 20th century, notably in 1964 when the west transept was extended to add a vestry and increase seating capacity. During this period, the chancel area was also opened up to better facilitate communion and leadership during services. Today, Claremont Congregational Church stands as a historic landmark in the heart of the suburb. Characterized by its heritage architecture and iconic timber and thatch roof, our church remains a place of faithful witness. We are honored to carry forward a long legacy of worshiping Christ, caring for one another, and serving the Claremont community.
Claremont Congregational Church has been served by 22 ministers, the most recent of whom is Rev. Grant Peers. Grant grew up and was confrimed in Claremont Congregational Church and ministered in two other Congregational churches before returning to serve as minister of Claremont Congregational Church in October 2025..