So, what is a turn table all about?

Or before we go there, why am I writing about a turn table of all things under the sun?  Because I think it is worthwhile to write about it as it is not something often seen in South Africa.  I discovered this one by accident in the beautiful town of Knysna, next to the waterfront at an almost forgotten spot next to a parking lot.    On your next visit in Knysna head over to this GPS location to see it:  S 34° 02.393 E 023° 02.654 .

According to Wikipedia a railway turntable is a device for turning railway rolling stock, usually locomotives, so that they can be moved back in the direction from which they came. This is especially true in areas with economic considerations or with a lack of sufficient space.

Sadly, this is one of the features that became defunct when the Outeniqua Choo Choo stopped to operate between George and Knysna due to flood damages to the railroad. 

I also think there are not many countries in the world where you still find a train turn table.  Do you know of one?  It will be nice to see where in the world you can still find these structure so leave a location in the comments section and let’s see if we can build a trial of turn tables around the world. 

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However, there are small towns with tons of history dating back hundreds of years.  And then there are churches with unique architecture and some interesting history on the why, what and how it came about. 

With its rich history and influences from the Dutch, French and English, who all reigned South Africa at some period in the early years, you can just imagine the different church styles that came about.   Each church structure tells a story.  One can feast on some fascinating stories that at times can be humorous or a bit shocking, this includes that has been set alight by deranged persons and destroyed by fire, and steeples collapsing. 

Looking up the history of all the churches and paying a visit to it is a travel destination in itself.    

DR Colesberg (NC) – 1863

Colesberg is one of those towns that you normally zip by and just stop at one of the many filings station next to the N2 to buy something cold for the road, use the bathroom and fill up with fuel.  Next time take ten minutes and  drive through the town.    You will notice that many of the town’s buildings are preserved very well.  One example is the DR Church which dates back to 1863.

Like many other church building the competition to design the church was won by George William Smith but it was not built to his design.

When you look up you will also notice that there is a red rooster on the roof of the church indicating the wind directions. 

Coordinates:
30°43’23.04″ S 25°05’43.88″ E Alt: 1383m

DR Church Uniondale (WC) – 1866

You will notice that the tower has the inscription “herbouw in 1908”. This is because the original sandstone tower was unable to withstand the strain of the swinging action of the heavy church bells when they were rung.  These huge bells are now mounted on a wooden beam and the time every half hour.

During the 1974/1975 the weights keeping the heavy bells in place in place, came loose and fell right through the wooden floor at the bottom.  After this mishap measures were taken to protect the floor from another mishap and metal plates were installed below the bells on top of the wooden floor. 

If you look closely you will notice the there is only three clock faces.  But why?  Well, the one side faces the mountains and who on earth needs to the know the time when they are up there? 

Then there is also a rumour that the clock goes faster during the cold winter months and tends to be a bit sluggish during the hot summer months.  Please share your comment if this rumour is not a rumour, but a fact! 

DR Church Winburg (FS)

)

Next time when you are travelling on the N2 take the turn-off to Winburg.  It is not much of a town, but it has a beautiful sandstone church in the centre of town and is quiet easy to find.  Just follow the spire – there is no high rise buildings in Winburg …..

“The European community of Winburg is famous for the differences in political heritage. The town was divided into two camps, due to their support to either the South African Party of General Jan Smuts, or the National Party of Dr Daniel François Malan. This led to the division of the Dutch Reformed Church into two separate congregations, Klip Kerk (Stone Church, because it was built from sandstone) and which was the original church for the Dutch Reformed Church and Rietfontein Kerk. Bitter feuds were fought between supporters of the two parties.” (Extract from Wikipedia)

Coordinates:
34°01’03.63″ S 20°26’47.52″ E  

DR McGregor (WC)  – 1904

This is another beautiful  Hesse design tucked away in the Breede River region dating back to 1904.

Coordinates:
33°56’56.82″ S 19°49’38.99″ E

DR Church Swellendam (WC) – 1910

Cape Dutch gables, Gothic windows, Renaissance entrances, and a Baroque spire combined into one building.  Also the work of Folkert Wilko Hesse and his son Francois.     This church’s spire was once removed with a helicopter to do some repair work on it!  Must have been great a commotion when this happened in the town of Swellendam. 

Mary Myrtle Church in Bonnievale (WC) – 1921

The only church in the world believed to be built on the request of a child! This was a special request to her father before her death.

The floor is made of marble from Italy the stained glass windows comes from England, the main door from Zanzibar (made originally for a jail and over 300 years old), the side doors out of wood from Knysna.

DR “Moedergemeente”, George (WC) – 1842

There is also a story concerning my home town’s church.

Due to lack of funds it took more than 12 years to construct the church building at a cost of between R24 000.  On Wednesday, 13 September 1905, at five o’clock in the morning disaster struck. 

‘n Geweldige ramp die gemeente getref toe die kerktoring op Woensdag 13 September 1905, om vyfuur die oggend ineengestort het. Reën wat in die loop van jare by die oopstaande vensters van die toring ingedryf is, het die houtwerk ongemerk laat verrot en die mure sodanig verswak dat dit nie bestand was teen die swaar neerslag wat op 11 September begin en op 13 September reeds sowat 10 duim gemeet het nie. 

The tower was reconstructed under the supervision of architect Hesse who was by now a well-known figure in the church building arena.

Coordinates:
33°57’22.25″ S 22°27’47.33″ E

And I am off to find some more interesting churches with interesting stories. You are welcome to let us know in the comments sections when you spot a church with an interesting story.

You can find some more interesting stories under the post about a Sophy Gray church in the blog post called St George, Church, Knysna http://travelbucket.co.za/st-george-knysna/?hilite=%27belvidere%27

— We will never change the world by going to church – We will only change the world by being the church —

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George Rex was rumoured to have been the illegitimate son of George III (Prince of Wales at the time) and a Quaker girl, Hannah Lightfoot. The legend is that he was sent to the Cape Colony to avoid a Royal embarrassment.

Rex, who settled on the farm Melkhoutkraal, also contributed to the economy of Knysna as he was a timber merchant and trader and played a major role in the development of the town and the surrounding area.

Whilst the grave is no great sight to behold, it can be found close to the N2 and is easily accessible for a quick visit.  Heading towards Plettenberg Bay you will find the grave nestled between trees.  As you leave town take a turn right into Plover Road and immediately left on a small dirt road leading up to this historical site.

If you have a GPS you can find it at:  S 34°02’33.0, E 23°04’43.0

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Sophy’s stone churches stole my heart and now I am on a quest to tick them off one by one.  This quaint church with its tranquil garden is situated in the Main Road, but is easily missed when one is in a hurry.

John Rex., son of the legendary George Rex, laid the foundation stone in 1849 and soon after in 1850 construction started on plans adapted and provided by Sophy.  Her church, the first in Knysna, is standing in front of the newer, darker church building which was only constructed in 1926.

The gardens are well kept and the green grass, edged with white flowers, provided a good back drop for pictures.  According to the notice board at the gate it states no sleeping on the church grounds, amongst others, but some vagrants enjoyed a New Years nap in the shade of the church garden.

We spent some time walking through the old graveyard and noticed some more Rex graves and also a grave of John Benn in the gardens.  Can this be the famous skipper that served Knysna in the early days?  I think I have some research to do ….

Unfortunately the church doors were locked so we could not take a peek inside.  Maybe next time when I pass by this way.

From the 40 churches where Sophy was involved I have managed to tick off 10 from the list. I think this may be a good enough excuse to take more trips in 2016 to find the others dotted all over South Africa.

My ticked list so far:  

• St George, Knysna 1849
• School Chapel, Beaufort West 1849
• St Marks, George 1849
• Holy Trinity, Belvidere, Knysna 1851
• Christ Church, Beaufort West 1852
• St Pauls, North End, Port Elizabeth 1854
• St Judes, Oudtshoorn 1860
• St Augustine, Frazerburg 1869
• All Saints, Uniondale  1869
• St Peters, Plettenberg Bay 1879

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In May 1881 the Italians were brought to Gouna with the intention and under the impression that there were an abundance of mulberry trees in the forest.  They were to start up a silk industry on the African continent.  It turned out that the mulberry trees that the woodcutters referred to were not related by any means to the real mulberry at all.

After the project failed the families were abandoned by the government and had to make a living out of agriculture, cattle farming and some also became woodcutters.   Thus in 1891 the small San Ambrosio Church was built to render sort of a connection to their lives back home in far away Italy.

Today you will still find Italian surnames not only in and around Knysna but their decedents are scattered all over South Africa.

The church is open daily for visits and a little museum tells the captivating history of the forgotten Italians of the forest.  To find the church, take the road up the hill past Simola, turn left at the Gouna turn off and carry on with the gravel road until you find a sign on the left leading to the church.

This story is also told in the well known book Mulberry Forest (Moerbeibos) of Dalene Matthee.  I have just decided that with my new found knowledge it is time to read the book once again with a new perspective and empathy.

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