 On 15 December 1874, the farmers of this area met for the first time with a view to establishing a village and Dutch Reformed Church congregation.A town council was elected.In February 1875, a petition group of 169 men met the church council of Graaff-Reinet, headed by the Reverend Charles Murray, son of the first preacher Andrew Murray .On the same day, negotiations were concluded to buy Uitkyk from Pienaar's sons.