Church Bells of Warwickshire

PRINCETHORPE (R.C), Benedictine Priory of Our Lady of Angels 8, 10cwt in G

Grid Reference	140/394710
Postcode	CV23 9PX
Other Information	College Website

History

The chapel, otherwise known as the church of Our Lady & the Angels which was built between 1897-1901 to the designs of Peter Paul Pugin, son of the great medievalist A.W.N.Pugin. It's gothic exterior culminates in a soaring south west tower, and is distinguished by being finished in a rich red brick with stone dressings. The interior of church is by contrast finished in light stone and plaster and is an impressive cruciform space, richly furnished with Pugin's metal screens and gilded altar canopy and a full complement of stained glass by John Hardman Studios of Birmingham. The church serves both the school as chapel and as a Catholic parish church (served from nearby Wappenbury).

The bells were cast by Warners to ringing weights. They are hung dead in two rows of four and chimed from an Ellacombe manual. The weights come from a newspaper report of the dedication in June 1900.

The tower looks strong enough for a ringing peal, given sufficient interest and funding. A couple of large water tanks at the top of the tower might make ringing there somewhat "interesting".

There is an Angelus bell (3cwt) hung for swinging - also by Warner 1899.

In the tower of the original chapel there are three small bells by Thomas Mears, 1835, the largest about 2½ cwt. (q.v).

Details of the Bells

1 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 3½cwt 25.25"
2 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 4¼cwt 25.25"
3 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 4½cwt 26.50"
4 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 5½cwt 28.00"
5 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 6¼cwt 30.00"
6 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 7cwt 32.50"
7 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 7¾cwt 36.00"
8 John Warner & Sons, London 1899 10cwt 39.00"