Thieves went to great heights at the weekend to steal a 60kg church bell in the city’s northern areas.
According to the shocked pastor at the United Congregational Church in Chatty, the Rev Adam Berkatt, the bell, which hung from a tower, was worth about R30,000.
Berkatt said the bell, made of brass and copper, played an important role in the community, not only to announce the start of church early on a Sunday morning, but it also played a significant role at funerals.
He said the congregants were shocked and in disbelief on Sunday morning when he informed them that the church bell had been stolen.
“I could not believe what I was hearing when the church sexton called me and said the bell was missing,” Berkatt said.
“Only when I got to church and witnessed it for myself, did reality hit.
“It was difficult to convey the bad news to the church.”
He said they had two services on a Sunday morning for their more than 3,000 congregants.
“We had the bell for more than 16 years. Seeing the sadness in the eyes of the congregants will live with me for years,” he said.
The bell was gifted to the church by a family who were part of the congregation.
Berkatt said during funerals, when the coffin arrived at the church, the bell would ring, and again when the body was carried out.
He said this was an important ritual for the grieving families.
“Unfortunately, it was easy for the culprits to get into the church yard.
“We don’t lock the gate of the church because the alarm company requested it so they can have easy access to the building whenever the alarm is activated.
“The clock hung very high up so they [thieves] probably used a ladder to get to it.
“At this stage, it looks like they came with a mission and knew exactly what to do.
“I feel very sorry for all the people who live in the vicinity as they have become accustomed to hearing the bells ringing on a Sunday morning.
“It gave everyone the sense of it being a day dedicated to God.”
Traditionally, the bell would be rung at exactly 9.30am for church to start at 10am.
“Luckily, we do have insurance, but the red tape with regard to procedures that must be followed to make a claim is not something we are looking forward to,” Berkatt said.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the theft took place sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
“On Saturday, at about 8.30pm when the complainant locked the church, everything was in order.
“The next day the helper at the church in Laurence Erasmus Drive reported that the bell of the church had been stolen.”
Janse van Rensburg said the investigation was ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bethelsdorp police on 082-319-8673, Crime Stop on 08600-10111, or their nearest police station.
Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS app. All information is confidential, and callers may remain anonymous.
The Herald
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