In the final of a three-part series leading up the 150th anniversary of Clumber Church, COURTENEY GEORGE BRADFIELD writes about recent renovations to the church and surrounding property.
IN December 2015 it was seen that the steeple of the Clumber Church was literally falling apart.
Swarms of bees inhabited the space and this rotted the supporting central sneezewood pillar. Ian Rudman, a master craftsman from Port Alfred, undertook the disassembling of the structure and a rework of the sneezewood orb. He reassembled the entire structure in January 2016.
In July and August last year there was great concern as the roof was leaking badly. The yellowood floors and pews were being damaged, the walls were streaked and damp and our 1902 Harmonium and Gors and Kallmann piano, also from 1902, were under threat from the damp conditions.
As the congregation is small and quite unable to cope financially with the costs of repairs, we decided to try social media in an attempt to raise funds. A website, clumberchurch.simdif.com, was published together with two Facebook pages, one to update progress on the repairs and the other to reflect happenings at the church.
[pullquote]In September last year we stepped out in faith[/pullquote]
In September last year we stepped out in faith with no funds in our restoration account and ordered the material for the roof – R65 000 was needed for this project. At completion that amount had been donated. We then repaired our harmonium and piano, at a cost of R15 000. Again, we did not have the funds when we commissioned the repairs, but on completion of the work, precisely one day later, we had the funds available. Miracles. To celebrate, we held a Carols by Candlelight Service in early December, the first in living memory.
In January this year we commenced with the repainting of the interior and the repairs to the yellowwood floors and the yellowwood pews. A section of wall was uncovered which showed an earlier darker green had been used in the past together with a stencilled pattern. This area has been retained. The floors and pews were sanded and sealed and are now looking magnificent.
Once the interior was completed, we then repainted the exterior. Simultaneously our farmers started clearing the common of invasive bush as well as alien vegetation. This was concluded in July when we called in a contractor to assist in this huge task.
In April we convened a work party to scrub and clean the gravestones and re-gravelling where necessary. A second work party in July almost completed our objective of cleaning approximately 200 graves.
[pullquote]Our funding appeals have resulted in the church being totally restored, ready to serve many future generations.[/pullquote]
Our funding appeals have resulted in the church being totally restored, ready to serve many future generations.
And to celebrate the completion of the repair and restoration tasks we are embarking on an ambitious 150th Anniversary Celebrations on October 20 to 22.
On October 20 at 2pm we are laying a flower token on each and every grave to honour those who have gone before. That evening there will be an auction at the Pig and Whistle Inn in Bathurst with Jeremy Mansfield as auctioneer, to raise funds for the ongoing church repairs. On Saturday October 20 starting at 11am will be a full day of music and song, ending at 3.30pm.
Graeme College Steel Band, Scottish Dancing, Kentones Male Choir, Keiskamma Music Academy, DSG and St Andrews Wind Orchestra, Alfred Mnaba Choir are all part of the line-up.
On Sunday October 22 there will be a Celebratory Holy Communion with our circuit minister and district bishop presiding. At 12 noon a wreath will be laid in honour of the Nottingham Party of 1820 Settlers who established the church. We end off the celebrations with a high tea. See our website for details.