Cape Town, District Six, Holy Cross Catholic Church

Abstract

Cape Town, Holy Cross Catholic Church. The Holy Cross Catholic Church in District Six was built in 1916. A niche has been constructed on the side of the church. In it hangs a silvery shining bell. In between two moulding wires just below the shoulder one reads information on the founder. Around the bell is written O’Byrne. Founder. Dublin. 1923. On the waist below stands A.M.D.G. that stands for A(d) M(ajorem) D(ei) G(loriam), to the greater honour of God. Immediately below that stands Ave Maria, Gratia Plena. The decorations finish with two moulding wires above the sound bow and one on the lip of the bell. The best known of the Dublin bell founders was, undoubtedly, Matthew O'Byrne of The Fountain Head Bell Foundry. Matthew Byrne, his father, had been a Chief Engineer in The Royal Navy and established in 1840 The Fountain Head Iron Foundry in James's Street, Dublin. The economic depression of the 1930s brought an end to the production of bells. Notwithstanding that the bell has been hanging outside for long, it seems in rather good condition up to a number of spots caused by pigeons. It was not possible to make a recording of the sound of the bell.