Kevin O’Donoghue, pastor of the Full Gospel Church of Fish Hoek for more than 30 years, is retiring this month.
Mr O’Donoghue and his wife, Linda, have been the heart and soul of the church since 1984 when they moved to Fish Hoek with their three young sons.
His last service will be on New Year’s Eve, Monday December 31, at 11pm.
Mr O’Donoghue started the church with seven congregation members and slowly grew it to the 500 members it has today.
“We still have two of our original members with us,” he said.
He said Linda was his right hand and he could not have done it without her help.
In 1992, the church expanded its facilities in Main Road to accommodate the growing congregation. An adjacent block of four flats was bought and converted into what is now the church’s office and Sunday school.
An old house at the front of the church was demolished and
congregants volunteered to rebuild it.
“The community was wonderful, and one man gave up three weeks of his annual leave to come and help, while an elderly couple, who I’ve never met before, brought a tray of tea and cookies for the builders.”
He said he had made many friends over the years and would miss his responsibility towards the church and the community the most.
But while he is retiring, he has no plans to leave Fish Hoek.
“Linda and I will stay in Fish Hoek as two of our sons still live here,” he said.
In 1980, the Fish Hoek Echo reported that the house where the church is now was a former guest house and had been
bought by Reverend and Ms P Engelbrecht after the minor hall in the civic centre become too small for church services held there.