Mossel Bay, Herbertsdale, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Herbertsdale, Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk. There is a very interesting and beautifully decorated bell in the tower of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Herbertsdale. On the shoulder of the bell one finds a first freeze with flowers and angels playing the violin. Below this and surrounded by pairs of moulding wires runs a text all around the bell: + A.D. 1955 + Petit & Fritsen Aarle-Rixtel. Holland. Then follows a second decorative band. On the front side appears the crest or seal of the foundry. It contains 3 bells (1 and 2) on which one can find the words Soli Dei Gloria (Solely to the Glory of God). At the sound bow one finds two pairs of moulding wires with in between Gelewer Deur Suid-Afrikaanse Orrelbouers (EDMS.) Beperk. Silverton. A final trio of moulding wires on the lip of the bell completes the decorations on this fine bell that is in excellent condition. The Royal Bell Foundry Petit & Fritsen is the third oldest family business in the whole of the Netherlands. It started operations in 1660 and remained one of the main bell founders in the world. It recently was amalgamated with the Koninklijke Eijsbouts in Asten, the Netherlands. Fortunately, we already had some prior information on the bell that was acquired from the archives of Petit & Fritsen in the Regionaal Historisch Centrum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The weight of the bell is 297 kg and it was billed to the South African Organ Builders on 1 November 1955. The bell illustrates the active role played by the South African Organ Builders in the ordering and installation of bells in the country.