Header
  
Bexleyheath
 

Bexleyheath, Christchurch


  • Single bell hung for full circle ringing but unringable and 2 bells hung dead
  • Tenor: 6¾ cwt approx. in D♭.
  • Grid Ref: TQ488753
  • Frame: 1887 and 1889 John Warner & Sons
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Rochester


    The ringing bell.(Dickon R Love, 14 Aug 2004)
    Bell 1(Dickon R Love, 14 Aug 2004)
    Bell 2(Dickon R Love, 14 Aug 2004)

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)
Diameter Note Date Founder Canons Retuned
Bell 2 6¾ cwt approx.33" D♭ 1889 John Warner & Sons Never
Bell 1 5 cwt approx.29" D 1887 John Warner & Sons Never
® Ringing Bell 4½ cwt approx.27" E 1889 John Warner & Sons Never

®  - Hung for full circle ringing
 - Hung dead

Inscriptions

History

1836 Bell cast by Thomas Mears.
1841 Brick church with a tall spire completed by Robert Palmar Browne.
1866 Parish created from that of St Mary, Bexley.
1877 The church was rebuilt by William Knight, although the substantial tower and spire were never completed.
1887 Bell recast and hung for ringing under the roof over the crossing.
1889 Two more bells cast and hung dead with the existing bell. It is likely that the ringable bell was never rung again from this time as there is no separate hole in the stone vault. All 3 are chimed from an Ellacombe rack with space for 8 ropes. The result is a minor 3. [1]
[1] ARCHDEACON'S VISITATION ... A new bell has been fixed in the tower in honor of Her Majesty's Jubilee. (Bexley Heath and Bexley Observer - Sat 9 Mar 1889)

Gallery


Downstairs, John Warner and Sons provided Ellcombe chiming apparatus for 8 bells. The three ropes are drawn through this frame (albeit back to front).
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The tenor in the foreground. In the background the large area of tower plan can be seen. In the middle is the trap door above a curved vault that leads directly into the church. In the distance, the thick walls stop abruptly indicating where work on the t
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The treble (right) and tenor (left) hung dead side by side.
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The middle bell with its ringing fittings can be seen in the background. The tenor is in the foreground.
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The middle bell, which is hung for ringing.
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The treble and tenor viewed from above (tenor below).
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

The middle bell, which is hung for ringing.
Photo: Dickon Love, 14th Aug, 2004

How the church might have looked were the original design realised. The ringing room would have been where the bells are now, just above the stone vaulted central crossing.
Photo:

Elsewhere in the Parish

Bexleyheath, Clock Tower
Single clock bell


Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 1 April 2016