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Since 1957

Our History

From a Morning Devotion group in Bantama homes to a congregation of over five thousand members.

  • Bantama, Kumasi
  • Peyer Memorial since 1990
How It Began

From a Morning Devotion to a Mother Church

Peyer Memorial Congregation began as a Morning Devotion group in the time of the Very Rev. E. M. L. Odjidja, Pastor in charge of Ramseyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Adum. Members met at three places in Bantama, and their passion for souls was so great that within four months adult membership grew from fifteen to two hundred.

On 24th August 1958, five members were elected to manage the affairs of the young congregation. Mr Charles Paul Amponsah opened his home for worship, and the congregation grew into the Bantama Presbyterian Church, a District and a mother of many churches across Kumasi.

Today, over five thousand members call Peyer Memorial home.

Traditional Sunday at Peyer Memorial Congregation
60th anniversary emblem, 1957 to 2017

60th Anniversary · 2017

69

Years of grace

1957

Morning Devotion begins

5,000+

Members today

20+

Ministers have served

1978

Raised to a District

24th August 1958

The First Five

The members elected to look after the young congregation in its first year.

CA

Charles Paul Amponsah

Opened his home as a meeting place

EA

Ernest E. Asare

Elected 24th August 1958

SK

Samuel Koranteng

Elected 24th August 1958

EM

E. A. Mensah

Elected 24th August 1958

BA

Ben O. Afful

Elected 24th August 1958

Milestones

Our Journey of Faith

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12

  1. 1957

    A Morning Devotion begins

    Members of Ramseyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Adum, gather at three places in Bantama for morning devotion. Mr B. R. D. Anane, headteacher of Bantama Presbyterian School, serves as the first catechist.

  2. 24th August 1958

    Five members take charge

    Within four months adult membership grows from fifteen to two hundred, and five members are elected to manage the affairs of the young congregation.

  3. 1961

    Bible Study and Prayer Group

    The BSPG is formed, bringing regular Bible study and house-to-house evangelism to Bantama.

  4. 1962

    The Church Choir is founded

    Mr A. B. A. Danso, headteacher of Bantama Presbyterian Primary School, becomes the first choirmaster.

  5. 1st October 1967

    Sod cutting for the chapel

    Work begins on a permanent chapel, while the congregation worships in classrooms of the Bantama Presbyterian Block "B" School.

  6. 1st April 1968

    The first resident minister

    The Asante Presbytery appoints Rev. S. R. Essah as the first resident minister of the congregation.

  7. 8th November 1970

    Foundation stone laid

    Rev. Ernst Peyer of the Basel Mission lays the foundation stone of the Bantama chapel.

  8. 12th March 1978

    Bantama becomes a District

    Under Rev. M. O. Amoh the chapel is roofed, panelled and plastered, membership reaches seven hundred, and Bantama is raised to District status.

  9. 3rd June 1990

    Named Peyer Memorial

    The chapel is dedicated and the congregation named Peyer Memorial Congregation, in honour of Rev. Ernst Peyer.

  10. 19th November 2017

    Sixty years of grace

    The congregation celebrates its 60th anniversary, giving thanks for all God has done since 1957.

  11. 4th October 2026

    A new chapter

    Rev. Dr. Kofi Amfo-Akonnor is inducted as Bantama District Minister and Minister in Charge of Peyer Memorial Congregation.

Peyer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Bantama

Foundation stone

8th November 1970

Laid by Rev. Ernst Peyer

Our Namesake

Rev. Ernst Peyer

Rev. Ernst Peyer was a Basel Mission Representative in Ghana who lived much of his life in Kumasi. He was closely involved in planning the Bantama chapel, personally carrying the building plan to the Presbyterian Headquarters in Accra, and he laid its foundation stone.

With his wife and friends of the mission in Switzerland, he was among the chapel's most generous supporters. On 3rd June 1990, in recognition of his devotion, the church was dedicated and named Peyer Memorial Congregation in his honour.

"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."

Psalm 127:1
Our Motto

"That They All May Be One"

John 17:21

Drawn from Jesus' prayer for His church, the motto of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana calls us to unity: every generation, every group and every member, one family in Christ.

Shepherds of the Flock

Ministers Who Have Served

The ministers in charge who have led Peyer Memorial since its first resident minister in 1968.

All Past Leaders
1

Rev. S. R. Essah

1968–1970

2

Rev. S. S. Addi

1970–1971

3

Rev. M. O. Amoh

1971–1978

4

Rev. S. O. Ayim

1978

5

Rev. M. Y. Mireku

1978–1980

6

Rev. D. A. Y. Larson

1980–1982

7

Rev. A. A. Misah

1982–1984

8

Rev. J. W. Amoah

1984–1985

9

Rev. A. K. Sah

1985–1991

10

Rev. K. A. Nuamah

1991–1995

11

Rev. V. A. Larbi

1995–1999

12

Rev. C. B. Ahwireng

1999–2001

13

Rev. E. Agyem-Frempong

2001–2007

14

Rev. P. K. Nyarkoh

2007–2010

15

Rev. Alexander Adu-Sekyere

2010–2016

Our Story Continues

Become Part of the Story

The faith of fifteen people at a morning devotion still gathers thousands every Sunday. Come and worship with us at Bantama.

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