The city of Kimberley, a historic mining town in South Africa, holds a special place in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is here that Adventism first took root on the African continent. Kimberley is home to several long-forgotten pioneer sites that are integral to retelling the story of God’s leading in the early days of Adventist mission work in South Africa.
A recent research trip to Kimberley by Merlin Burt, director of the White Estate; Markus Kutschbach, director of Adventist Heritage Ministries; and Michael Sokupa, associate director of the White Estate, has unveiled these significant historical sites. Their discoveries are shedding new light on the Adventist Church’s early missionary efforts in Africa.
Early Mission Approaches in South Africa
The early mission work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa was significantly shaped and strengthened by the establishment of various institutions. In Kimberley the growth of the church progressed slowly at first. The creation and development of various Adventist institutions, however, played a crucial role in overcoming deep-rooted prejudices and advancing the mission across the town’s diverse ethnic and racial communities. Through these efforts the church was able to lay a strong foundation for its work. Let us take a closer look at some of the most significant findings from this period, highlighting the institutions that played a foundational role in shaping the early Adventist mission in Kimberley and beyond.
Recently Rediscovered Heritage Sites
The School in Kimberley
There is substantial evidence suggesting that a school was established in Kimberley during the early years of the church’s development. The first indication of the need for such an institution comes from a report by A. T. Robinson in 1892, who expressed the necessity of providing education for the children of Sabbathkeepers in the area. Robinson wrote:
“There are many important questions to come before the board, and we are praying earnestly that the Lord will give wisdom, that every move that is made may be such as will meet the mind of His Spirit. The question of a school is a live question with our brethren here, and one that must receive careful attention, from the fact that there is quite a large number of children of Sabbathkeepers who must be provided with instruction.”1
While the exact location of the school remains unknown, artifacts found at Beaconsfield church—such as desks and desk frames—suggest that a school did indeed exist in Kimberley. Sarah Peck, one of Ellen White’s secretaries, played a key role in the early school’s developments. She arrived in Cape Town in 1892 and moved to Kimberley the following year to start the school.2
The Kimberley Baths
The Kimberley church also established a health ministry, offering water treatments based on Ellen White’s counsel. The Kimberley Baths attracted people from all walks of life, many seeking relief from various health issues. During our research trip we discovered the physical address of the Kimberley Baths in the 1901/1902 directories, and deed records confirmed that the property once belonged to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.3 This discovery provides a tangible link to the church’s early health ministry in Africa, shedding light on a previously untold chapter in the church’s history.
The Benevolent Home
During the South African War (1899-1902), the Benevolent Home in Kimberley, initially established to assist the poor and unemployed, became a lifeline for many. Located near the Kimberley Baths, this institution provided shelter, food, and fresh vegetables to residents during the siege of Kimberley. The Benevolent Home, which appeared in records as early as 1900, is a testament to the church’s commitment to social outreach and support during difficult times.4
The Home of George van Druten
The home of George van Druten, an early Adventist convert and pioneer, was also rediscovered during this research trip. Thanks to the assistance of the van Druten family and the help of regional leader and pastor Xhanti Mabenge, we were able to locate the site at a local farm. Although the farmer who owned the land was not present, his workers guided us to the location. There we found the ruins of van Druten’s home, as well as his grave and that of his wife.
George van Druten, known for his steadfast faith, operated a shop in Kimberley. The shop location is not known yet. His conversion, faithful witness, connection with William Hunt, an early missionary in the region, and the final years of his life in Kimberley, where he passed away, form an important part of the Adventist legacy there.
The Grave of William Hunt
Another significant discovery was the grave of William Hunt, an early Adventist missionary and pioneer. After extensive research by Markus, the exact location of Hunt’s grave was identified within the parameters of a secure mining area. The mining company has graciously allowed the Seventh-day Adventist Church to erect a monument at this unmarked but positively identified grave. This will serve as a permanent tribute to Hunt, whose missionary work laid the foundation for many converts to the Adventist faith in southern Africa.
Looking Forward
Reflecting on these rediscovered sites, we are reminded of the importance of looking back at God’s leading in our history. As Ellen White once famously said:
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”5
The institutions established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kimberley—schools, health ministries, and benevolent services—were all vehicles for mission, driven by the guidance of the Spirit and inspired by Ellen White’s prophetic counsel. Today, as we revisit these sites, we see the powerful legacy of faith, education, and service that continues to propel the Adventist Church forward in southern Africa and beyond.
1 A. T. Robinson, “South Africa,” Review and Herald, vol. 69, No 8, Feb. 23, 1892, pp. 122, 123.
2 Willeta Raley Bolinger, “Denomination’s First Woman Missionary Reaches 100,” Review and Herald, Apr. 25, 1968, p. 15.
3 Mark Henderson, The Kimberley Yearbook and Directory for 1902 (Kimberley, South Africa: Diamond Market Printing Works, 1902), p. 436.
4 General Conference Bulletin, Apr. 1, 1900, p. 143.
5 Ellen G. White, Life Sketches of Ellen G. White (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1915), p. 196.