Reculver, St Mary
|
Prior to 1810 |
Bell | Weight (most recent) | Diameter | Note | Date | Founder | Retuned | Fate | |
Treble (of 4) | 7-1-16 | 33½" | B♭ | 1635 | Joseph Hatch | Never | Transferred to Badlesmere 1810. | |
2nd (of 4) | 8 cwt approx. | 36" | A | 1635 | Joseph Hatch | Never | Transferred to Hilborough 1810, stolen 1969 | |
3rd (of 4) | 10 cwt approx. | c.40" | G | 1635 | Joseph Hatch | Never | Sold | |
Tenor (of 4) | 14 cwt approx. | c.44" | F | 1635 | Joseph Hatch | Never | Sold |
History |
669 | A small Benedictine monastery was built by Basse (a "masse priest") on land given to St Augustine's Abbey by King Egbert. It was previously a 3rd century Roman Fort. | ||
1350 | In 14th Century, the towers and spires were built. | ||
1635 | A new ring of 4 bells was cast by Joseph Hatch. | ||
1758 | Record of 4 bells in the tower. [1] | ||
1802 | The sea was recorded as encroaching dangerously close to the church. | ||
1809 | The church was demolished. The twin towers were saved by Trinity House who maintained them as a sea-mark, although the spires were subsequently removed. | ||
1810 | A new church was built at Hilborough with a tower and the second from Reculver was placed in it. The treble was transferred to Badlesmere. | ||
1876 | The church at Hilborough was rebuilt without a tower. The bell was hung in the gable end. | ||
1930 | The towers passed to the Ministry of Works. Subsequently they went to English Heritage. | ||
1955 | Around this time, the bell at Hilborough was rehung for stationary chiming by Mears & Stainbank. | ||
1969 | In April the Hatch bell at Hilborough was stolen during a particularly daring raid and replaced with a ship's bell, then a steel bell. | ||
1988 | The remaining Hatch bell at Badlesmere was restored with new fittings for swing chiming and crown staple removed (by Whitechapel and KCACR). |
[1] | This Church consists of The Chancell, Body, and 2 Side Isles. At The West End of The Body, stand Two very beautyfull tall Spires. These are a famous Sea Mark. In that towards ye North, hang 4 Bells, all made by Joseph HATCH in the Year 1635. (Rev’d Bryan Faussett, 1758) |
Gallery |
View of church in 1799. Photo: David Cawley collection |
View in c.1915. Photo: David Cawley collection |
Photo: David Cawley collection |
Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent | Page updated: 2 April 2020 |