The need for a home for the elderly in Napier received attention as early as 1946 when the church council discussed the possibility of housing for senior citizens.

An important development followed in 1967 when the local health committee dissolved and its assets were transferred to the Dutch Reformed (*N.G.*) Congregation of Napier to be held in trust for the potential erection of a home for the elderly.

The matter gained new momentum in 1968. On October 15, the need for such a home was once again formally discussed after it was reported that there were 98 people over the age of 70 in Napier. Shortly thereafter, a door-to-door collection was held for the cause.

In 1970, the first committee was established to investigate the establishment of a home. Various efforts and negotiations followed, but the project was ultimately rejected in 1975. However, the need did not disappear, and the congregation continued to seek possible solutions.

By 1976, the old school building emerged as a potential home for the elderly. The proposal elicited mixed reactions, but strong support was reflected in, among other things, a petition with 133 signatures submitted in favor of converting the building.

The matter subsequently led to a major congregational decision. On November 25, 1977, a congregational meeting was held to discuss the future of the project. The seriousness with which the congregation approached the matter is evident from the fact that an early morning prayer service was held each day during the five days leading up to the meeting.

During the meeting, it was decided to form a congregational committee for a home for the elderly. The committee was tasked with exploring all possibilities, including the conversion of the old school building. Among the members were Rev. M.G. Muller and Dr. J. Wiid, while C.J. Fick and J. Lourens were also noted as members in the minutes starting from January 1978.

The work of the congregational committee eventually bore fruit. On August 29, 1978, the committee reported to the church council that the Department of Social Welfare and Pensions had approved the erection of a new home for the elderly in Napier.

This decision ushered in a new phase: the vision of a home now had to be transformed into a concrete construction project. Deacon J. Lourens, who became chairman of the congregational committee after Dr. Wiid’s departure, thanked everyone who had been involved in the project during the preceding stages. There was great joy over the approval, and the church council decided that a thanksgiving service would be held.

The next step was the preparation for construction. On November 16, 1979, a building commission was formed, with Rev. P.J.J. Schoeman as chairman and J. van Z. Lourens as vice-chairman. Draft building plans were submitted, discussed, and refined by the commission.

While the plans were being developed, the congregation also considered a suitable name for the new home. Members were invited to submit proposals, and out of 41 names, three were presented to the church council: *Huis Ten Drift*, *Huis Klippe Drift*, and *Huis Kleinberg*. On June 9, 1980, the building commission recommended that *Huis Klippe Drift* be accepted as the official name.

Although approval had been granted, actual construction was still awaiting funding. Over the following years, the building commission negotiated with various government departments to expedite the release of funds.

In 1983, Rev. A.G. Auret became chairman of the building commission. The commission learned that government funds would be made available faster if the community provided a counter-contribution. The congregation then offered an amount of R100,000 and also undertook to supply sand and gravel for the construction work. This was estimated to yield an additional savings of at least R50,000.

This willingness of the congregation to make a substantial contribution helped pave the way toward actual construction.

On April 29, 1986, the long-awaited construction work finally began. Mr. Roux from Caledon, who was awarded the tender, started marking out the foundations on that day.

The site had already been purchased years earlier from Mrs. Cornelie Fourie for R3,500. The initial tender amount for the erection of the building was R923,335, while the final cost amounted to R967,554.

With the start of construction, a vision that the congregation had strived toward for 18 years finally began to take visible shape.

The construction work ultimately transformed the congregation’s long-standing endeavor into a real home. On June 24, 1987, the first two residents, Mrs. C.E.M. Swart and Mrs. J.P. Blomerus, were admitted to Huis Klippe Drift. The following day, Mrs. A.E. du Toit followed, after which the rooms and apartments were gradually filled.

The official inauguration took place on September 18, 1987. Rev. C.R. Roberts, secretary of the SKDB, delivered the dedication address, and Rev. A.G. Auret unveiled the commemorative plaque, which was donated by the builder. Mr. L.S.K. Wessels and Mrs. Anita Wessels unlocked the door to the new home.

Singing Hymn 5, the large crowd gathered went inside to tour the building, after which refreshments were enjoyed. Mr. Andries Wessels, the oldest member of the board of directors, concluded the event with the vote of thanks.

Thus, an idea that originated back in 1946 finally became a reality after more than four decades of discussions, prayers, planning, setbacks, and perseverance: Huis Klippe Drift opened its doors as a home for the elderly of Napier.