While the discussions about the founding of the Tarkastad DR Church congregation were going on between 1862 and 1863, a place of gathering was constructed on land donated by the then-owner of Boschfontein farm, JA de Wit. The Tarkastad Dutch Reformed Church congregation was founded in 1863. Between 1863 and 1880, this was used as the church building.

The cornerstone for the church was laid on 1 June 1877 and it was first used on 12 February 1880. After the inauguration of the new church building, the old building was rented out to the School Commission who used the building as a school for less fortunate children. The building was used as such until 1910 when the church council decided to turn it into a church hall for congregational functions. It was utilised as church hall until 1952 when it was sold on public auction. The building was later demolished to make way for the construction of a service station.

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. Repairs had to be made to the church in 1903, and during this time the wire fence around the church was replaced with steel 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.

The church tower has extensive renovations done to it after cracks were noted on it in 1967. After investigation it was found that there were cracks both inside and outside the tower. It was the result of movement of the beams that held the clocks, as well as vibrations from when the clock was rung. The inside of the tower was reinforced by using reinforced cement that was sprayed on. Once the tower was found to be safe, scaffolding was erected to fix the outside of the tower. It was the first time such a method was used in a tower anywhere in the world.

The suggestion for a Church Hall across the road from the church was approved by the congregation in 1948 and the church council finally approved for construction to start in 1951. The corner stone was laid that following year, 32 years after the idea of a church hall was first floated the hall. The Church Hall was inaugurated in 1954.