Page 136 - KBHA BULLETIN 20

133

frustrated. We are, however, determined to establish a college where the evangelic doctrines

of the Word of God would be taught.

The response from other denomination was most encouraging and included support from the

Assemblies of God, the Baptists, the Brethren, the Church of England in South Africa, the
Church of the Province of South Africa, the Lutheran Church, the Dutch Reformed Church,

the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, other African Churches, and well-known

missionary societies. The time was now ripe for a suitable institute to be formed.

The establishment of the Bible Institute of South Africa

Evangelical in foundation, interdenominational in character.

After countless meetings and discussions with the other denominations it was finally decided

in 1923 that the way forward would be the establishment of a Bible Institute at a local
boarding house which was for sale, and it would be named The Manor House, 11 Main Road,

Mowbray. Marsh financed the purchase of this house from a Mr. C. A. Fox. It stood on the

north corner of Main and Wolmunster Park Roads (now Wolmunster Street). Today on this
site is the Information and Communication Technology Service building, (known as ICTS on

Main) and is part of the UCT Lower Campus. The original property consisted of the

boarding-house, an outhouse and a boys’ room, and was insured after Marsh’s purchase
against fire by the Sun Insurance Office for £4,500-0-0.

The council for the Bible Institute was duly elected. (Refer Appendix 1.) The Honorary
Principal was the Rev. A. Daintree MA who was the rector of St. Peter’s Church, Mowbray.

Lectures would be conducted in the form of Day Courses and Evening Courses. Day Courses

would be completed over a two-year period while the courses planned for evening classes
would be completed in one year. Other requirements were that, besides the two hours per day

of class work, each student was expected to devote a certain number of hours daily to study
and preparation, and to undertake practical work under strict supervision. Prospective

students had to have sufficient preliminary education to enable them to profit from lectures of
the Institute. A matriculation certificate or its equivalent was the minimum standard required.