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Folkestone, St Michael & All Angels


  • Formerly 8 tubular bells and probably single bell
  • Formerly 8 tubular bells and probably single bell disposed of before church demolished 1953.
  • Grid Ref: TR230363
  • Denomination: Church of England
    Diocese (Anglican): Canterbury
    Archdeaconry (Anglican): Ashford


Earlier Tubular Bells

Bell Date Founder Fate
1 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
2 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
3 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
4 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
5 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
6 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
7 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s
8 1888-91 Harrington, Latham & Co, Coventry Disposed of in early 1950s

History

1865 The first St Michael's "temporary" church was built out of timber for under £800. It was opened on Tues 11 July. [1] [2]
1873 The church was rebuilt in brick by Bodley & Garner. It was opened on 4 Sept 1873, although the building work was incomplete, and it wasn't finally finished until 1884. [3]
1887 Stahlschmidt stated that the church was a modern one with a modern bell. This is quite possibly true, but there is no evidence that Stahlschmidt actually knew this for a fact. [4] [5]
1888 At about this time, a set of 8 tubular bells was installed in the tower (the precise date is not known). There had been a concert held in the Town Hall in November the previous year to raise money for the bells. The Vicar, The Revd E Husband took part in the programme on a set of Harrington tubular bells.
1889 Mr Husband, the Vicar installed a rank of tubular bells on the church organ in this year. [6]
1891 The local newspaper carried a letter from a local resident who appreciated the suspension of the ringing of the tubular bells in the early morning and for evening services. [7]
1899 Record of ringing for the Cyclists' Church Parade. [8]
1953 The church, which was damaged in the war, was closed and finally demolished. [9]
[1] FOLKESTONE - The temporary church of St. Michael and All Angels now in course of construction in the Harvey Square district, directly opposite the British Schools, Mill-lane, is rapidly approaching completion, and is expected to be finished in about three weeks time. The ground plan is cruciform, the south transept, however, being some feet longer than the north; the extreme length from east to west is 102 feet, width of nave 24 feet, south transept 20 feet, north 10 feet, the chancel and children's side chapels, 44 feet 6 inches. The chancel is separated from the transept by a pierced screen of wood, about three feet in height, and the floor is raised six inches above that of nave and transepts; the side chapels in which the school children are to be seated, are separated from the chance by lancet-headed screens in baize, the floor of the altar space being about two feet higher than that of the other part of the church. The east end is covered with an apse roof, and is lit with three lancet-headed indows. The building is formed entirely of wood, on cast iron wall plates, with cast iron sockets to receive the ends of the main posts, and cast iron buttresses at each angle. The building is lined inside to the window sill with planed boarding; above which and the inside of the roof, being lined with rough boarding, stained oak colour. The church is calculated to hold 600 persons, the sittings being all open and free. In the chancel are ornamental seats or sedilla for the clergymen and choristers, in the south east corner is placed the reading desk, at the opposite corner the pulpit, and in centre the lectern. The apexes of all the east gables and the top of the bell cot, are finished with ornamental iron finials; the church is well ventilated by ten formers in the rood, and also with swing casements in each window. It is expected to be opened some time in June, the erection having been delayed by the bad weather that set in when it was first started. The whole of the work is being done under contract by Mr. J. H. Clerk, of Warwick, under the superintendence of Mr. Raddon, foreman of works. (Kentish Gazette - Tues 06 Jun 1865)
[2] OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. - This newly-erected temporary church was opened on Tuesday. ... The church, though certainly not handsome, is about the best finished temporary church we have ever seen. Its cheapness will be appreciated when it is stated that though accommodating 600 persons it has cost under £800. It was absolutely necessary to secure the site and cover it with a building, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when proper funds will be raised to erect a handsome structure to adorn the present site of St/ Michael's. (Kentish Gazette - Tues 18 Jul 1865)
[3] FOLKESTONE. ST MICHAEL'S CHURCH - The new church of ST. Michael was opened with special services on Thursday last, although it is yet far from being completed. The style of the building is known as the Flamboyant, being after the pattern of the 14th century Lowland Dutch churches. The contractor is Mr. Bowley, builder, Folkestone, and he appears to have performed his work very creditably. The interior of the church is at present simply a plain room, the sittings not having been put up. The floor is paved with tiles, made by Mr. Bowley, and the altar (a temporary wooden structure) is approached by three tiers of steps, and is surmounted by a panoply. The pulpit is of stone, plainly but chastely carved, and is the only permanent fixture yet erected ... Offertories were taken on behalf of the Building Fund, on which a debt of £1,500 remains. (Dover Express - Fri 05 Sept 1873)
[4] Modern church and modern bell. (Church Bells of Kent, Stahlschmidt, J C L, 1887)
[5] A POPULAR CONCERT will be given in the Town Hall next Tuesday evening in aid of the fund for the new bells for St. Michael's Tower. Master Henry Humm (of the London concerts), Mr. Horace Pepe, Mr. Hilton Turner, and the Rev. E. Husband will take part in the programme. Mr. Husband will play on a set of Harrington's tubular bells. (Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser - Sat 19 Nov 1887)
[6] ORGAN RECITAL ST. MICHAEL'S FINE INSTRUMENT ... The two manual organ was erected in May, 1884, by Messrs. Henry Jones and Son, Fulham Road, South Kensington, S.W. but excellent as it was it did not satisfy the Vicar-organist, and in 1886 the choir manual was added, followed a year later by the muxture posaune (16 feet) and tremulant, and in 1889 the tubular bells were added ... The fourth manual consists of the carillon. (Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser - Saturday 16 June 1923)
[7] ST. MICHAEL'S BELLS. - "A Grateful Neighbour" writes: - Dear Sir,- Allow me to express my sincere thanks through the medium of your valuable paper to the Rev. Husband, for discontinuing the ringing of the tubular bells in St. Michael's tower at his early morning and also evening services. If he only knows what a boon it is to a great many of his neighbours, I am sure he will not think of starting them again. (Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe & Hythe Advertiser - Sat 07 Feb 1891)
[8] In connection with the annual Cyclists' Church Parade: "The tubular bells from St. Michael's tower rang out a merry peal, and the flag of St. George fluttered gaily from the turret." (Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Saturday 26 August 1899)
[9] CHURCH TO GO. St Michael's and All Angels, Folkestone, which was damaged in the war, is to be demolished. (Coventry Evening Telegraph - Fri 1 Aug 1952)



Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent Page updated: 18 April 2020