Langeberg, Robertson East, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Robertson, Dutch Reformed Church, East. The slim and high tower of the Dutch Reformed Church in Robertson-East houses a bell that is beautifully decorated and perfectly kept. On top of the bell one finds a first decorative moulding wire with flowers and angels playing the violin. Below this a band that runs all around the bell and with the following text: + A.D. 1965 + Petit & Fritsen Aarle-Rixtel, Holland + On the reverse side of the bell stands + Gelewer Deur Suid-Afrikaanse Orrelbouwers, Silverton. + Then follows a second decorative band with hanging flowers. On the front side of the bell appears the crest or seal of the foundry. It contains 3 bells (1 and 2) on which one can find the words Soli Deo Gloria (Solely to the Glory of God). At the sound bow one finds a further set of five moulding wires. 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. In 2012 it was amalgamated with the Koninklijke Eijsbouts in Asten, the Netherlands. We have found information on this specific bell in the Regionaal Historisch Centrum, Eindhoven that houses the archives of the foundry. We learned from these archives that South African Organ Builders (SAOB) was billed on 13 June 1963 for the bell of 238.5 kg and that the bell was later delivered by the m.s. Oranjefontein. Thanks to the help of two local workers of the church, we are able to provide pictures of the bell. We felt unable to risk the climb. However, with the information from the archives and former experiences with Petit & Fritsen bells in the Western Cape we also have been able to check the measurements made by the workers.