Die “nuwe klaskamers en biblioteek-gebou” van die Sendinginstituut, Wellington, is op Donderdag 19 September 1940 ingewy.
Die verrigtinge het in die kerkgebou begin. Dosente, kuratore, moderatuurslede, kerkraadslede en selfs die burgemeester was teenwoordig. Die “verrigtinge begin onder ’n skaduwee. Die voorsitter van die Curatorium wat die leiding op hom moes neem, was afwesig weens krankheid. Ook was een van die sprekers, ’n oud-dosent, tot almal se teleurstelling afwesig.”
Ds Du Toit van Wellington neem egter die leiding op hom, bygestaan deur eerwaarde Breedt. Gelukwensings word uitgespreek en telegramme voorgelees. Na die “feesredenaars” se toesprake verlaat almal die gebou terwyl hulle Gesang 3 sing. Buite word ’n optog na die “Instituut-terrein” gevorm. Heel voor loop die studente en ander jongmense. Daarna volg die “evangeliedienaars” en gemeentelede.
By die gebou neem ds Brink van Porterville die leiding. Mev Louw, lank die huismoeder, onthul die “twee muurtablette”. Mnr Vlotman, die boumeester, oorhandig die voordeursleutel aan ds Brink. Hy “ontsluit die voordeur in die naam van die drie-enige God”. Na afloop van die “besigtiging” is daar ’n “kort geselligheid met toebehorens” in die Jubileum-saal.
Die Kerkbode van 2 Oktober 1940 berig: “Die gebou is opgerig in Kaaps-Hollandse styl, met die gewone sierlike krulgewels. Die vernaamste versiering is die voorportaal, ’n namaaksel van De Kat van die Kasteel in Kaapstad. Binne-in is daar twee ruim klaskamers en ’n nog ruimer biblioteek, weerskante begrens deur ’n klein kamer vir die dosente, een ’n sitkamer en een ’n waskamer.” Die “biblioteek-ameublement” is geskenk deur teologiestudente en die susters van Wellington.
Heelwat later staan hierdie gebou ’n tyd lank as die Gawie Hugo-gebou bekend en dien as ’n koshuis. 80 jaar na die eerste inwyding in 1940 trek Bybel-Media op 22 November 2021 amptelik by hierdie gebou in en herdoop dit na Die Boekhuis.
The “new classrooms and library building” at the Missionary Institute, Wellington, was inaugurated on Thursday, 19 September 1940.
The proceedings began in the church building. Lecturers, curators, moderators, church council members and even the mayor were present. The proceedings began under a shadow. The chairman of the Curatorium, who had to take the lead, was absent due to illness. To the disappointment of all, one of the speakers, a former lecturer, was also absent.
However, Rev Du Toit of Wellington took the lead, assisted by Rev Breedt. Congratulations were expressed and telegrams were read out loud. After the speeches of the festival speakers everybody left the building while singing the old Afrikaans hymnal Gesang 3. Outside they formed a procession and walked to the grounds of the Institute. In front were the students and other young people, followed by the gospel ministers and congregation members.
At the building Rev Brink of Porterville took the lead. Mrs Louw, for years the resident head, unveiled the “two wall tablets”. Mr Vlotman, the builder, handed the key to the front door to Rev Brink. He unlocked the front door in the Name of the triune God. After the viewing of the building everyone enjoyed something to eat and drink in the Jubilee Hall.
Die Kerkbode of 2 October 1940 reports: The building was erected in Cape Dutch style, with the usual ornate gables. The main decoration is the foyer, an imitation of De Kat of the Castle in Cape Town. Inside there are two spacious classrooms and an even more spacious library, flanked on both sides by a small room for the lecturers, one a lounge and one a bathroom. The library furniture was donated by theological students and the sisters of Wellington.
Much later, this building was renamed the Gawie Hugo Building and served as a residence for students. 80 years later, on 22 November 2021, Bible-Media officially moved into the building and renamed it The Book House.
