by Ashley Bell

Places carry stories. Long before walls are repainted or rooms are repurposed, a piece of land quietly absorbs the lives, prayers, failures, faithfulness, and hopes of those who pass through it. What may appear ordinary to the casual observer often holds layers of meaning shaped by time, obedience, and unseen labour.

The land at 54 Hornbill Road is one such place. What began as a countryside inn—offering rest and refuge from the city—has, over decades, been transformed into a spiritual home that continues to shape lives, families, and leaders. This story traces the remarkable journey of a property that was not merely renovated, but redeemed, revealing how God patiently weaves purpose into places when faithful people steward what has been entrusted to them.

The land 54 Hornbill Road was purchased for an inn. The inn consisted of several rondavels that accommodated guests and offered a countryside retreat away from the city. By the mid-1970s, however, the inn had lost its popularity and, being considered quite remote at the time, became vulnerable to neglect and vandalism. The property was eventually sold and subsequently purchased by the church.

The original rondavels were later refurbished and are today occupied by Little Flock, continuing a legacy of care and hospitality—now focused on the nurturing and formation of young lives. The area that presently serves as the school reception was once the inn’s lounge, while the upper floor consisted of a rabbit warren of offices used for administration and a boardroom.

The building now known as the Thatch Hall originally functioned as the inn’s dining area and was often used as a countryside conference venue. The remains of a large fireplace are still visible today, though no longer functional, standing as a quiet witness that this place became an altar in the city, where lives were warmed, shaped, and sent. The hall itself stands as a quiet reminder of the many gatherings that once took place around shared meals and the Gospel preached. Given that the Thatch Hall became central to the property we have felt that it should not be demolished but rather be symbolic to NCCB’s legacy in the City, nation and the world. It’s a reminder to that generation who served so faithfully in laying solid foundations that remain to this day.

Once the purchase of the property was finalised, every effort was made to make the site church-friendly. A small but devoted community who had come to see this as their new church home set to work—clearing, repairing, adapting, and repurposing spaces. Former guest areas were transformed into places of worship, fellowship, education, and prayer.

What was once a place of temporary rest for travellers gradually became a place of spiritual homecoming. The property evolved from an inn into a church campus—one that continues to serve the city of Johannesburg by forming people, raising children, equipping leaders, and extending God’s presence beyond its gates.

Today, the buildings at 54 Hornbill Road stand not simply as structures of brick and thatch, but as living testimonies to God’s faithfulness across generations. What was once a temporary stopping place for travellers has become a permanent place of formation, worship, discipleship, and sending. Children are nurtured, leaders are equipped, prayers are lifted, and lives continue to be shaped within these walls.

The preserved Thatch Hall, the repurposed rondavels, and the spaces now filled with learning and community quietly honour those who laboured faithfully to lay strong foundations. Their obedience created room for future generations to encounter God, serve the city, and carry His presence beyond the boundaries of this property.