Grid Reference:-
151/320654
Postcode:
CV31 1EE
Bell Audio:-
Hear the bells
Guild Affiliation:-
Coventry DG
Peals Rung Here:-
Felstead Database
Sunday Ringing:-
0945 - 1030
Practice Night:-
Monday
1930 - 2100
Access via Clock Tower
door in Priory Terrace
History Of The Bells
This church stands out in the middle of the town, just over the river from the council buildings. Once much smaller. it was expanded greatly as the town prospered on its Spa. There has been much restoration of the Spa Centre recently. The church is large and Victorian and has been adapted slightly to provide a room at the west end. It is worth looking round prior to ringing.
At the 1901 restoration a new tower was built and the the bells were augmented by adding a treble and tenor and recasting the existing 4th. The frame and fittings are by Mears & Stainbank, 1902, restored in 1976-7 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry who fitted new cast iron headstocks to bells 7 & 8 and rehung all the bells on ball bearings. The bells all have canons and the older ones have been quarter turned.
The church was previously improved in 1825-6 when a new tower was built - and six bells installed. Further improvements from the 1840s were carried out under the grand schemes of the Rev. Dr. Craig, who in 1843 obtained an estimate for a 33cwt ten to hang in the central tower he intended for the church, c.£1,200. The observer can spot easily that this tower only reached roof level.
From about 1860 until 1889 the bells were hung in a temporary wooden belfry at the side of the church. They were afterwards stored in the crypt for 12 years until being rehung in 1901. There is a clock bell (8½cwt) in the NW tower. It is by Hugh Watts II, 1628. It was one of the original ring of four, displaced in 1826 when the new ring of six was put up. It went to Christ Church, but came back to replace the 1848 clock bell (16-0-13) in 1957. The entrance is inside the church, the door to enter the church itself depends on the time of your visit and could be at the west or down the north side of the church. There is a door bell at the base of the tower you can ring for entry on a practice night.
A busy town it is best during the daytime to find a pay and display car park rather than attempting to find a free space.
Details Of The Bells
1 Mears & Stainbank, London 1901 4-0-10 26.00" 2 Thomas Mears II, London 1826 4-0-17 27.00" 3 Thomas Mears II, London 1826 4-3-15 28.50" 4 Thomas Mears II, London 1826 5-2-21 31.00" 5 Mears & Stainbank, London 1901 7-0-14 34.00" 6 Thomas Mears II, London 1826 7-2-14 35.00" 7 Thomas Mears II, London 1826 9-2-09 38.50" 8 Mears & Stainbank, London 1901 12-3-16 41.50"
Photo Gallery
The church in 1826. |
The tower under construction in 1901. |
The ringers 10th December 1953. |
The clock bell in 1957. |
Christ Church c.1975 |