The Durban Church - Before the Jesus Dome was Born

History


Playhouse Theatre

 Durban Christian Centre was birthed in 1979 with services being conducted in the Durban Playhouse Theatre, on Sunday afternoons, so as not to conflict with the various church services held in the city. In a short period of six weeks, over 2000 people registered decisions for Jesus Christ, along with wonderful miraculous physical healings. Everybody was welcome, irrespective of colour, race or church denomination. Because of the laws of apartheid at that time in history, there was a great opposition to this kind of gathering, this was ignored as people were encouraged to come to the cross of Christ, where all are one through His precious blood.

It was obvious right from the start that this was a significant move of the Holy Spirit, and Pastors Fred and Nel Roberts were led to leave their particular denomination in the suburb of Malvern, Durban, where they had spent 21 years in ministry building a very strong church. The D.C.C started with 15 people, and has grown considerably since it's humble beginnings. Based in Durban, Pastors Fred and Nel Roberts pioneered churches in Scottburgh, Pinetown and Empangeni. Prior to this, they pioneered a church in Livingston, Zambia, and in Estcourt, in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal.

Lyric Theatre

 Phenomenal growth made it evident that a more permanent place of worship was necessary, and as a result, the Lyric Theatre in Umbilo was purchased, and renovated. Services continued weekly in what became known as the Lyric Christian Centre, until it was necessary to conduct two Sunday morning services, to accommodate the enormous volumes of people. Later the theatre housed Christian Bible Training College, and the offices of what then became Durban Christian Centre.

Embassy Theatre

 Sunday services were then moved to the centre of the city in the Embassy Theatre, which could accommodate 2000 people. This venue quickly became too small and once again, two morning services became a necessity.

Expo Convention Centre

 Special meetings were held in the Durban City Hall, as well as the Expo Centre from time to time, these venues being filled to capacity. Conventions which drew international interest were conducted with world famous evangelists, such as Benny Hinn, Rheinard Bonnke, and other international Christian Leaders.

Alhambra Theatre

 It soon became obvious that a more permanent home was needed for the growing congregation. It was then that the Alhambra Theatre was purchased and the Lyric Theatre sold to the Apostolic Faith Mission Church, to be used as as a Bible College. The theatre was refurbished to meet the requirements of the congregation along with the Bible College, and soon this building also became too small, resulting in three services being held on Sunday mornings. This venue continues to be used as our inner-City Church. With the extension of the work, a large theatre was leased and restored for use by the KwaMashu congregation. Buildings were also leased and purchased in Umlazi, Chatsworth and Wentworth, for the congregations in those areas.

The work has expanded, and today there are churches throughout South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Reunion, Portugal, Holland, England and the United States, that are part of an international Network of Churches, of which Pastor Roberts is the President.


The Jesus Dome

 The octagonal, dome structured church building, is based upon the fact that the very first church buildings that were built, were built with eight sides. Eight being the number of resurrection, and reaching out in every direction with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is built with an aluminium roof, which is the largest of it's kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and the third largest in the world. Great care has been taken to eliminate maintenance as much as possible. This landmark building now stands at the entrance of the city, next to the main freeway, as a testimony to the faithfulness of God, as well as Christian witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.