Beaufort West, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Photographs and information on the Dutch Reformed Church in Beaufort West and its bells. The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk belongs to the congregation that was established in Beaufort West in 1820 and is therefore one of the oldest in the entire country. The church itself dates from 1836 and is currently under a serious and careful restauration. As a result, the bell tower is covered in scaffolds. Within the tower are two bells that probably are from the same founder. However only the smaller of the two carries the reference THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FOUNDER. The tower however also contains a very unusual set of pipes that probably have been designed for change ringing. The maker of the instrument is mentioned on a small plate above one of two sets of four pipes. It reads HARRINGTONS PATENT TUBULAR BELLS COVENTRY. It is somewhat doubtful that the chime has been used recently. The cords for change ringing are still in position but the hammers that are supposed to strike the tubes are in a very poor condition and cannot be used. The instrument as such is rather unique and replaces an 8-bells chime that could hardly be installed in the narrow bell tower.