Upper Umgeni Presbyterian Church

The original UUPC Chapel

HISTORY

Upper Umgeni Presbyterian Church was founded in 1873 to serve the communities north of the Umgeni River. The base was in Howick with other congregations in Lyndoche (Nottingham Road), Boston, Dargle, Estcourt and Mooiriver. St John’s in Nottingham Road became a thriving congregation on their own in 1995. St Michael’s in Boston is now a United Church (Presbyterian, Anglican and Methodist). The congregation at St Andrew’s in the Dargle shares a building with the Anglican Church.

Services in  Howick were initially held in the old School House, just down from the present property at 67 Main Street. Later the congregation used the premises of the Wesleyan Church until the Chapel was built in 1897 (See image on RIGHT). The Chapel was extended in 1975 and a new 300 seater Church with an Administration Centre was built in 2000.

The Hall was erected just after World War II in memory of those from the congregation who had fallen in battle. A Fellowship Centre and extended kitchen were added later. The building which was originally built as a Sunday School now houses an extensive Library and Prayer Room. The original Manse is situated on the property behind the Church on Fraser Street. It is now used for our KidZone Pre-Primary School during the week and for Sunday School. The new Manse is in Harvard Street and was donated to the congregation in 1998.

SERVICES

Services are held each Sunday at 7.30am in the Chapel and at 9am in the Church. A service for our Zulu-speaking members is held in the Chapel at 9.30am. We also have a midweek Holy Communion Service each Wednesday at 8.30am in the Chapel. Other services are conducted at St Andrew’s Dargle, Greendale, Amberfield and Amberglen. We have a formal

MINISTRIES

We have a very effective Pastoral Care Ministry under the leadership of Jenny Morrison. Jenny co-ordinates all visitation and care within the congregation. Between the elders and the Pastoral Care Team we visit the homes of all members at least twice per year with more frequent visits to the sick, hospitalised and homebound. Every Sunday we serve lunch in the Hall for around 70 people from throughout the community who would otherwise be on their own. On Christmas Day we have  special lunch with all the trimmings for up to 100 people. Pastoral Care also happens through the Homegroups, of which we now have 20 and to which nearly half the congregation belong.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH

Our Missions Outreach ministry, headed up by John Ade, supports several congregations within our Presbytery and has a wide involvement in HIV/Aids and education ministries through several specialised agencies. We are twinned with Garden Congregation in Lusaka, Zambia and have planted Aruanah Congregation on the Copperbelt of Zambia.

UPPER UMGENI’S VISION

To be a community of Believers who serve the Lord with great humility. To preach the Gospel publicly with our words and actions so that it would be helpful to everyone and enable them to turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

UPPER UMGENI’S  MISSION

This is our logo which defines our Mission and Vision. In everything we seek to communicate the Gospel of Jesus – primarily we understand that we are commissioned to serve, and so we see ourselves as servants of the Gospel.

In John 13, we read that Jesus wanted to show to His disciples “the full extent of His love” and so got up from the table to wash their feet. Having done that, He said “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done to you” - John 13:15. We strive to be the example of Jesus as we serve God, Each Other and the World.

Our structures are formed to enable this to happen most effectively. The Ministry Group (Worship & Prayer) guides our service to God; the Discipleship Group (Pastoral Care, Fellowship & Teaching) ensures our service towards each other; and the Outreach Group (Witness & Mission) leads us in service of the world.