The first Dutch farmers settled in the Tarkastad district in 1795 and the town was established in 1862.  The name is believed to come from the Khoi-San word Traka (meaning women) and the Afrikaans word Stad (meaning city)

The Tarkastad Dutch Reformed Church congregation was founded in 1863 and the cornerstone for the church was laid on 1 June 1877. This church was first used on 12 February 1880. The first organ, for which the “Juffrouwen Commissie” paid £730, was commissioned in 1884. During the Anglo-Boer War, the church was damaged by enemy troops. Not sure if this refers to the Boers or the British. In 1903 the wire fence around the church was replaced with bars and gas lamps were installed, which were replaced by electric lights in 1931.

Over time, the church became too small for its growing congregation and between 1912 and 1915 major expansions took place. Among other things, three galleries were built to double the seats from 480 to 960, the floor was raised at the back so that it sloped down to the front and new benches were inserted. The second dedication of the church was held on 6 February 1915.

On the church grounds is a memorial erected during the centenary celebrations of the Great Trek in 1938. Two Great Trek leaders, Andries Potgieter and Piet Retief, both farmed near Tarkastad for a short while. Many Dutch farmers from the district accompanied their leaders on the Great Trek north. The 1938 Voortrekker Centenary Trek didn’t come through Tarkastad though.