Riviersonderend, Beyers Farm

Abstract

Photographs and information on the two bells removed from the Dutch Reformed Stellenbosch Moederkerk and relocated to Beyers Farm, Riviersonderend. Far from the world, we found another set of two Gruhl bells. This pair has been removed from the Dutch Reformed Moederkerk in Stellenbosch for a new life here at the Beyers Farm. The setting of the bells is unique and overwhelming. Next to the construction is a ladder that allows visitors to walk up to the bells. But before doing that it pays to read what has been written on a commemorative plaque on one of the side poles of the construction. The text on the plaque helps to remind us that the top bell is Oubaas, the smallest of the three original bells. We have no indication why this bell has lost its original canons. As a kind of founder’s emblem, Gruhl bells have canons with four carefully carved angels that so to speak are reading the text on the bells. In the case of Oubaas the text is GESCHONKEN DOOR C.F. BEYERS C.F.Z. 1864. Further the reference to the foundry on the waist GEGOSSEN VON FRIEDRICH GRUHL IN KLEINWELKE BEI BAUTZEN. The second bell is Flip and fortunately still has its beautiful crown. Besides the reference to the foundry we read on the bell GESCHONKEN DOOR P.A. MYBURGH R.Z. 1864. It remains remarkable that these bells with their excellent sound have been removed from the church in Stellenbosch. What makes these bells particularly special is that they have been ordered and forged specifically for this church. One final note is that, as explained under the Genadendal bells, the real founder of the bells was not Friedrich Gruhl but his son Ernst Friedrich.