Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa 75th Jubilee
South Africa, Lyndhurst · 1983-06-01
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 01-06-1983 in Lyndhurst. It marks the 75th anniversary of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, founded after the American evangelist John G. Lake arrived in Cape Town in May 1908. The mission was registered as a company in Johannesburg in 1913 and legalised as a church under Private Act No. 24 of 1961.
Description of the Cachet
A gold-rimmed circular emblem dominates the left of the cover. A red cross rises behind a jewelled crown, with gold rays radiating out across a blue field. Gold script curves around the circle's edge naming the mission in Afrikaans and English. Beneath the emblem the years 1908 and 1983 sit either side of the words "Jubileum Jubilee", with the number 75 printed large in maroon below. The gold foil detailing gives the cachet a formal, ceremonial feel suited to the anniversary.
Information Card
DIE APOSTOLIESE GELOOF SENDING VAN SUID-AFRIKA In Mei 1908 het John G. Lake, 'n Amerikaanse evangelis, in Kaapstad aangekom. Hy het in die Skiereiland begin preek en het later 'n gemeente in Robertson gestig. Daarna het hy sy bediening in Johannesburg voortgesit en spoedig is dié geestelike beweging ook op ander plekke gevestig. Op 4 Oktober 1913 is die Apostoliese Geloof Sending van Suid-Afrika in Johannesburg as 'n onbeperkte maatskappy geregistreer met Engels- en Afrikaanssprekende lede as getuies. Die Sending-embleem, 'n kruis en 'n kroon, en die leuse Geen kruis, geen kroon het op die lapelwapen, amptelike maandblad, briefhoofde en ander amptelike stukke verskyn. Ingevolge Privaat Wet No. 24 van 1961 van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika is die beweging as kerk gewettig. Die Apostoliese Geloof Sending het uit die staanspoor sy sendingpogings ook op die Swart inheemse bevolking en die Bruin en Asiërgemeenskap toegespits. Die werk het spoedig uitgebrei na Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Transkei, Malawi, Kenia en Suidwes-Afrika, en op verskeie plekke het selfstandige kerke tot stand gekom. In 1979 was daar sowat 1 900 afsonderlike gemeentes. Die Kerk het 'n gesentraliseerde en koördinerende beheerstelsel met 'n rekenpligtige en 'n sekretariële afdeling. Aan die hoof staan 'n president en die lidmate het direkte seggingskap in verkiesings, beheer, beplanning, wetgewing en leerstellige aangeleenthede. Daar is nege statutêre departemente wat elkeen op 'n bepaalde gespesialiseerde werksterrein arbei. Die Kerk het sowat 126 000 Blanke lidmate en 412 voltydse Woordbedienaars in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, Zimbabwe en Suidwes-Afrika. THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA In May 1908 John G. Lake, an American evangelist, arrived in Cape Town. He commenced preaching in the Peninsula and later established an assembly in Robertson. Thereafter he continued his ministry in Johannesburg and very soon this spiritual movement was also established in other places. On 4 October 1913 the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa was registered in Johannesburg as an unlimited company, with English and Afrikaans-speaking members as witnesses. The Mission's emblem, a cross and a crown, and its motto No cross, no crown, appeared on the lapel badge, the official monthly magazine, letterheads and other official documents. By Private Act No. 24 of 1961 of the Republic of South Africa this movement was legalized as a church. From the start the Apostolic Faith Mission also concentrated its missionary efforts on the indigenous Black population and the Coloured and Asiatic communities. Very soon this action spread to Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Transkei, Malawi, Kenya and South-West Africa, and independent churches were established in several places. In 1979 there were about 1 900 such assemblies. The Church has a centralized and co-ordinating system of control, with accounting and secretarial sections, headed by a president. The members have a direct voice in elections, control, planning, legislation, policy making and doctrinal matters. There are nine statutory departments, each laboring in a specified and specialized field of activity. The Church has about 126 000 White members and 412 full-time ministers in the Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe and South-West Africa.
Theme: Other
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 211 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
