There is a danger that I could end up doing a series of images titled The Churches of Midlands County, as it seems that almost every named Midlands farming area settled in the late 19th century had its own small community chapel. Whereas the skyline of many a small South African town is dominated by the spire of a church (usually of the Dutch Reformed faith) these smaller country places of worship are both more modest and more isolated. Such is the small church of St Andrew's in the Dargle Valley. The original was built in 1882; the present red brick structure dating from around 1934. Built of the ubiquitous local red clay brick fired in the area, St Andrews is a charming example of the country chapel, and is still in use by the local community today. As with St Mark's (featured earlier) the small cemetery surrounding the church has graves of local families dating from the original building, right up to the as yet unmarked mounds of earth indicating a recent double interment.
In the bright early afternoon sun the rich green of the tree on the left, so typical of much foliage in the area with this year's recent late Midlands' rains, contrasts with the turning autumn foliage of the plane tree on the right. It makes a beautiful setting for the weathered facebrick of the church.
I believe in late autumn the area becomes a colour fanatics delight. I can hardly wait.
No comments:
Post a Comment