Rev Louis Baier

Berlin Baptist Church, just outside East London, where the Rev Louis Baier served.

Louis Baier was born in Germany on 28th February 1892. At an early age he emigrated with his parents to the United States of America and it was there that he learnt to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Later he responded to the Call of God to the ministry. He received his training at the Rochester (New York) and Valparaiso Universities and his first pastorate was at Bridgeport, Connecticut USA.

From there he came, with his young bride, Louise, Nee Feska, to South Africa and served the Stutterheim, Frankfort and Hanover Churches from 1921-1928. After s further brief ministry in the USA , he returned to South Africa and was Pastor of the Berlin Baptist Church from 1930-1960. Subsequent to his retirement, Mr. Baier continued to take a lively interest in the work of both the Berlin and Hanover Churches.

His ministry was characterized by an evangelistic zeal that saw many won to Christ. He was a good Pastor, a faithful and sacrificial minister of the Master, who was highly esteemed by his people.

An anonymous contributor speaks of his loving concern for the young people: He was a keen worker among the youth, and the Sunday school was his special care. Every Sunday morning at 10 o-clock he opened the Sunday with prayer. Even when he had to preach at Hanover an hour later, he first spent a few minutes with his beloved scholars at Berlin.

He was called into the Lord’s Presence on 21st May 1971, After a brief illness and his funeral services was conducted by the Revs. T.M. Rae, J.A Hendricks, and his own grandson, the Rev. F. E Mulder.

Written by: Syd Hudson-Reed