Post by cjm on Jan 30, 2016 6:34:41 GMT
The Adelaide Dutch Reformed Church.
Adelaide, a small, restful village in the eastern Cape, not far from Somerset East, came into existence as a military outpost during the frontier wars against the Xhosa and the Pondo during the middle of the 19th century. It remained a sleepy, delightful little sheep-farming hamlet and was eventually occupied by the British forces during the Anglo/Boer War of 1899 – 1902.
During the occupation of Adelaide, the British commandeered the local Dutch Reformed Church and converted it into barracks for their men. The Rectory they converted into stables. This did not go well with the local Afrikaans towns folk, but there was nothing much that they could do for, as is customary in such times, the occupying forces had scant regard for the property and possessions of the Adelaide towns folk.
After the war and the withdrawal of the troops, the local community wished to restore their place of worship. Throughout South Africa, however, there was a dire shortage of money. Every one in Adelaide was willing to lend a hand and denote their labour, but there were no funds essential for the restoration.
Then a strange thing happened. Three months after the failed restoration drive, into the town came two long-wheeled based transport wagons. They were piled high with fine cut timber, along with a beautifully hand carved pulpit and matching chair. The town’s folk were astounded! They immediately withdrew some of the nastier names that they had found for the British officer and troops during the occupation of their beloved town. They now realised that the British people had a conscience and had sent the timber all the way from England as an apology.
The delighted members of the congregation immediately set to work and within a few months, the restored church and rectory was proudly standing. It looked spectacular and the people settled down to their normal Sunday routine.
A few years later, a letter addressed to the mayor of Adelaide arrived. It said:
To the honourable Mayor, Adelaide, South Africa.
From the Mayor of Adelaide Australia.
Dear Sir,
It is with some trepidation that we inquire as to whether a consignment of oak wood, which we ordered from England about two years ago for our new church, has not, perhaps, by mistake been delivered to your town in South Africa instead of ours.
Well, there was not much the town council could do, the restoration was complete. Instead they had photographs taken of the beautiful new interior of their church and sent them off to the Mayor of Adelaide Australia, together with an explanatory letter
telling how the British had commandeered their church during the war.
And that is how the interior of the church was restored and still stands today, a monument to a lovely mistake.
Adelaide, a small, restful village in the eastern Cape, not far from Somerset East, came into existence as a military outpost during the frontier wars against the Xhosa and the Pondo during the middle of the 19th century. It remained a sleepy, delightful little sheep-farming hamlet and was eventually occupied by the British forces during the Anglo/Boer War of 1899 – 1902.
During the occupation of Adelaide, the British commandeered the local Dutch Reformed Church and converted it into barracks for their men. The Rectory they converted into stables. This did not go well with the local Afrikaans towns folk, but there was nothing much that they could do for, as is customary in such times, the occupying forces had scant regard for the property and possessions of the Adelaide towns folk.
After the war and the withdrawal of the troops, the local community wished to restore their place of worship. Throughout South Africa, however, there was a dire shortage of money. Every one in Adelaide was willing to lend a hand and denote their labour, but there were no funds essential for the restoration.
Then a strange thing happened. Three months after the failed restoration drive, into the town came two long-wheeled based transport wagons. They were piled high with fine cut timber, along with a beautifully hand carved pulpit and matching chair. The town’s folk were astounded! They immediately withdrew some of the nastier names that they had found for the British officer and troops during the occupation of their beloved town. They now realised that the British people had a conscience and had sent the timber all the way from England as an apology.
The delighted members of the congregation immediately set to work and within a few months, the restored church and rectory was proudly standing. It looked spectacular and the people settled down to their normal Sunday routine.
A few years later, a letter addressed to the mayor of Adelaide arrived. It said:
To the honourable Mayor, Adelaide, South Africa.
From the Mayor of Adelaide Australia.
Dear Sir,
It is with some trepidation that we inquire as to whether a consignment of oak wood, which we ordered from England about two years ago for our new church, has not, perhaps, by mistake been delivered to your town in South Africa instead of ours.
Well, there was not much the town council could do, the restoration was complete. Instead they had photographs taken of the beautiful new interior of their church and sent them off to the Mayor of Adelaide Australia, together with an explanatory letter
telling how the British had commandeered their church during the war.
And that is how the interior of the church was restored and still stands today, a monument to a lovely mistake.