Swellendam, Joshua Generation Church

Abstract

This church in Swellendam was originally owned by the NGK-Wes. The church has two bells, one outside in a horseshoe next to the old church building, the other in the tower. The outside bell is painted with a black paint that covers any eventually present information on founder or founding date. The bell has no crown and has two thick moulding rings above the sound bow and one on the lip. The bell has been fastened to a beam that prevents it from moving. The bell inside the tower is in perfect condition. On the shoulder figures a delicate decorative band made up of stylized double leaves. In between two double moulding wires stands: JOS VAN DE KERKHOF AARLE-RIXTEL. Above the sound bow, where the clapper hits the bell, one finds a set of five moulding rings with above it the following text: GESKENK AAN N.G. KERK SWELLENDAM WES DEUR M.J. ODENDAAL 1972. We have limited information about this founder who seems to work in the same location as the famous and productive Petit & Fritsen foundry. According to information from Rainer Schutte from the Koninklijke Eijsbouts, Van De Kerkhof was/is a clock maker who occasionally founded bells. In any case, the bell is quite unique as no bells of the same founder have been located in the Netherlands.