Langeberg, Bonnievale, Myrtle Rigg Chapel

Abstract

Bonnievale, Myrtle Rigg Chapel. The very attractive Myrtle Rigg Memorial Chapel in Bonnievale is situated a bit outside the main town. It was built in 1921 in a Norman style with large stones from the region. In the garden next to the chapel are a number of tombstones that refer to members of the Rigg family that have been buried here. Also inside the chapel are a vast number of commemorative plaques referring to the family. On the ceiling of the entrance hall to the chapel hangs a black painted bell that is not reachable physically but that is easily recognized by its shape. The name of the founder does not appear on the bell but rather on the nicely constructed yoke in which the bell is hanging. Because of too many successive paintings the text on the yoke is hardly readable. Comparison with other bells from the same foundry we expect the text to be, C. S. Bell Company, Hillsboro, O. with a number 3 between the words company and Hillsboro. The bell, made in the US, has somewhat larger dimensions than others that we have encountered so far like in Paarl’s Klein Parys. This suggests that the 3 refers to the size of the bell. In neighbouring Ashton hangs a much larger bell from the same foundry with the number 32.