Ds. P.S. Grobler

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Full name: Paul Stephanus Grobler

Lifespan: 1894 Marico - 1970 Ermelo

Occupation: Minister of the Nederduits Hervormde Kerk (NHK), Reformed Church

Unidentified photographer¹

Ds. Grobler was a prominent minister in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA), known primarily for his pastoral heart and his extensive work in church construction. He was the son of "Oom" Koert and "Tant" Hannie Grobler and a descendant of early pioneers who arrived in the region around 1844. His brother was missionary, Tienie Grobler. He was the cousin of Ds. G.P.J. Grobler.

  • Marthinus Stephanus Francois "Tienie" Grobler (1891 Marico - 1941 Marico) was a missionary in Transkei, a member of parliament for the Marico constituency, and active in various social and cultural organizations. He was also involved in the Ossewabrandwag and was interned during World War II.

After completing his schooling at Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch), he studied at the Transvaal University College (T.U.K.), where in 1921 he became one of the first NHKA ministers to fully graduate in Pretoria.

Grobler served Krugersdorp from 1922-1939, responsible for the West Rand and Magaliesberg, later extending to Kensington and Newlands. In 1922/23 he was involved in the establishment of the De Nederduitsch Hervormde Weeshuis (orphanage) in Krugersdorp. He was a prolific builder, credited with erecting several church buildings and the NHKA orphanage complex in Krugersdorp; famously, he once spent 36 consecutive hours on a church roof overseeing the casting of a dome. He laid the cornerstone of the NHK in Krugersdorp in 1935.


Laying of the cornerstone of the NH Kerk in Krugersdorp (c.1935). Source: The Citizen³

"Hy was inderdaad 'n bouer, en die sierlike kerkgeboue in Krugersdorp, Kensington, Newlands het hy omtrent self gebou..."

Throughout his career, he also served as a consultant for numerous congregations and founded the East London and Dordrecht branches in the Eastern Cape.

Grobler retired (emeritaat) in 1968 but soon returned to service as a pastoral assistant in Ermelo. He died suddenly on 22 September 1970, just hours after completing an evening of house visits. He was survived by his wife, Mollie (née Bodenstein), as well as four children.

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