Mossel Bay, Wydersrivier, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Wydersrivier, Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk. The Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk in Wydersrivier used to belong to the Berlin Missionary Society as an outstation of the Riversdale mission. Activities of the society started there in 1874. A modest new church was inaugurated on 9 February 1913. On the side of the church stands a horseshoe type construction in which a small bell is hanging. After closer inspection one notices that the bell is a ship’s bell. It has no decorations whatsoever except for the name of the ship. On the visual side of the bell one can read, MS Waryu Maru. On the reverse side of the bell stands the year 1963. Up to now we have not been able to get more information on the ship except that it seems to refer to a Japanese ship yard.