The oldest 4 bells were hung in an early English tower on the north side of the church.
Bells 7 & 8 were cast (1490 & 1470 respectively) by John Mitchell and his predecessor + 1 at the Wokingham Foundry.
Bells 5 & 6 were cast (1663) by the second Henry and the second Ellis Knight at the Reading Foundry.
This tower was demolished and the current north-west tower was built and the old 4 bells and 2 new bells were installed in 1875.
Bells 3 & 4 were cast (1875) by Robert Stainbank. Paid for from the Restoration Fund £229.12s.7d
In 1881 two more bells were added.
Bells 1 & 2 were cast (1881) at the Warner Foundry in Cripplegate and dedicated at a special service on 20th August 1881. Given by R Warner in memory of Lord Beaconsfield.
In 1952 the 7 smaller bells were recast, a new 8 added. All were hung in a new cast iron and steel frame and the old 8th bell was hung above the present 8 as a sanctus bell. All this was carried out by John Taylor & Co Bell Founders of Loughborough.
Hear The Bells
Excerpt of Spliced Surprise Major Recorded 6th May 2024
Current Specification
|
Bell |
Weight |
Nominal |
Note |
Diameter |
|
1 |
4-1-24 |
1432 |
F |
26.00 |
|
2 |
5-0-9 |
1348 |
E |
27.13 |
|
3 |
5-0-9 |
1202 |
D |
28.13 |
|
4 |
5-2-18 |
1062 |
C |
30.38 |
|
5 |
6-1-8 |
947 |
B♭ |
32.50 |
|
6 |
8-1-1 |
892 |
A |
35.00 |
|
7 |
11-1-16 |
793.5 |
G |
39.13 |
|
8 |
14-3-19 |
706 |
F |
43.50 |
|
Sanctus |
12 |
777 |
G |
41.13 |
Inscriptions on the Bells
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1881
In MEMORY of EARL BEACONSFIELD
Presented by Robert Warner Esqre
Bell Founder to Her Majesty
Queen Victoria
YEAR BY YEAR THE STEEPLE MUSIC
OER THE TENDED GRAVES SHALL POUR,
WHERE THE DUST OF SAINTS IS GARNERED
TILL THE MASTER COMES ONCE MORE.
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
Cast by John Warner & Sons London 1881
In MEMORY of EARL BEACONSFIELD
Presented by Robert Warner Esqre
Bell Founder to Her Majesty
Queen Victoria
CHRISTIAN MEN SHALL HEAR AT DISTANCE
IN THEIR TOIL, OR IN THEIR REST,
JOYING THAT IN ONE COMMUNION
OF ONE CHURCH, THEY TOO ARE BLEST.
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
Mears et Stainbank, Londini, Fecerunt, 1875
"Laudate Dominum omnes ejus Angeli."
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
Mears et Stainbank, Londini, Fecerunt, 1875
"Dominum campanae clangore laudate."
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
ANANIAS WRIGHT WILLIAM RVSEL CW
HK 1663
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
ANANIAS WRIGHT WILLIAM RVSEL CW
HK 1663
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
Sancta Maria Ora Pro Nobis
Recast 1952 John Taylor & Co
I WAS CAST IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH II
MY FELLOWS WERE RECAST AT THE SAME TIME
THE COST WAS BORNE BY THE GENEROSITY & LABOURS OF MANY
John Taylor & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1952
Criste Baptista Campana Gaudea Ista