Cape Town, Three Anchor Bay, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Cape Town, Drieankerbaai Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk. Drieankerbaai NGK has an interesting history with bells. The church itself dates from 1880 but the tower dates from 1903 at which time a donation enabled the parish to buy a set of three bells. Also a clock was installed by the Burmeister Company. Of the three bells, one ended up in the garden (see below), one was later donated to the Goodwood NGK in the City Centre of Cape Town, the third to the Moravian School in Achtervlei, Piketberg, in the subdivision Bergrivier of the West Coast District. On October 25, 2016 we passed through Piketberg and attempted to make pictures of the school and the bell. From the picture it is quite clear that the bell had some decorations below the shoulder. Currently there are again three bells: One is hanging in a horseshoe construction at the side of the church. The two others hang in the tower of the church. Bell in the garden. This is a bell that was hanging in the tower of the church from the beginning. In 1930 on ringing the bell for a religious service, it fell through a number of ceilings but remained essentially undamaged. In 1954 it was moved to its present position: Rather than hanging the bell back in the tower, a horseshoe construction was erected. The bell has an unusual shape in that it is elongated. The bell is a ship’s bell. The ship’s name was Robert Henderson. The clipper was made by the Aberdeen Ship Builders on behalf of Henderson & Brothers from Glasgow in 1857. The ship aroused much interest because of its model and speed. It was intended for journeys between Scotland and New Zealand. The decorations on the bell are as follows: In a half circle Robert Henderson, 8-pointed star with inscription Glasgow 1857. Finally, there are two moulding wires on the sound bow. The ship was scrapped in 1882 but it is remarkable to find its bell in a church that was started in 1880. More information on the ship is found on http://www.aberdeenships.com/single.asp?offset=2160&index=99567. Bell 1 in tower. The larger of the two bells hangs on the left hand side when one enters the bell room. The bell has no inscriptions nor a date. It is neglected and covered with remains of pigeons. Bell 2 in tower. This bell hangs on the right hand side, is slightly smaller but also totally undecorated.