Brighton, Former Church of All Souls
(Eastern Road)
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
1968 |
Unhung |
||||||
2 |
1871 |
Removed |
Unhung |
|||||
3 |
1871 |
Removed |
Unhung |
|||||
4 |
28.38 |
1871 |
Removed |
Unhung |
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Previous Bell |
Thomas II Mears |
1833 |
Yes |
Swing chime? |
About the Bell
1 Bell
All Souls was designed by H. Mew and consecrated April 3rd, 1834, as a chapel for the poor. The total cost being £5,120 was raised by public subscription, and a grant from the Incorporated Society for the promoting, enlarging, building and repairing of churches and chapels. 100
A single bell cast by Thomas II Mears that had a short inscription, presumably around the inscription band. There is no record of the size of the bell or where it went. 101
It was remodelled by E. E. Scott & R. S. Hyde in 1879, after the re-arranging of Brighton parishes. 102
4 bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank forming a clock chime, each inscribed around the inscription band.
They were hung dead in a timber B frame and the tenor measured 28.38" in diameter. They would have been cast with conventional canons, but have since been removed.
Unfortunately, the church closed down and was demolished in 1968. The bells were transferred to Kemp Town, St Mary, although they were never installed. The treble was stollen in 1968, and using the church's insurance money, Mears & Stainbank cast another one.
It is inscribed:
MEARS / 19 (Fig. WBF,1) 68 / LONDON
at the bottom of the waist.
The bells now reside in a garden near Ditchling, all with a beautiful patina.
Tyssen lists:
43. Brighton, All Souls - 1.
1. T. Mears of London Founder 1833.
All Souls was designed by H. Mew and consecrated April 3rd, 1834, as a chapel for the poor. The total cost being £5,120 was raised by public subscription, and a grant from the Incorporated Society for the promoting, enlarging, building and repairing of churches and chapels. 100
A single bell cast by Thomas II Mears that had a short inscription, presumably around the inscription band. There is no record of the size of the bell or where it went. 101
It was remodelled by E. E. Scott & R. S. Hyde in 1879, after the re-arranging of Brighton parishes. 102
4 bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank forming a clock chime, each inscribed around the inscription band.
They were hung dead in a timber B frame and the tenor measured 28.38" in diameter. They would have been cast with conventional canons, but have since been removed.
Unfortunately, the church closed down and was demolished in 1968. The bells were transferred to Kemp Town, St Mary, although they were never installed. The treble was stollen in 1968, and using the church's insurance money, Mears & Stainbank cast another one.
It is inscribed:
MEARS / 19 (Fig. WBF,1) 68 / LONDON
at the bottom of the waist.
The bells now reside in a garden near Ditchling, all with a beautiful patina.
Tyssen lists:
43. Brighton, All Souls - 1.
1. T. Mears of London Founder 1833.
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1968 - Present
1 |
MEARS 19 ◉ 68 LONDON |
2 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1871. |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1871. |
4 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1871. |
1833 - 1871
Old Bell |
T MEARS OF LONDON FOUNDER 1833 |
Photographs
Credits to Stuart Corson
|
Sources:
100 - The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 by J. A. Vickers
101 - The Church Bells of Sussex by A. Daniel Tyssen
102 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/brighton-and-hove-all-souls-eastern-road/
103 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
Photos - Courtesy of Sussex parish churches.
Photos - Courtesy of Stuart Corson
100 - The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 by J. A. Vickers
101 - The Church Bells of Sussex by A. Daniel Tyssen
102 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/brighton-and-hove-all-souls-eastern-road/
103 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
Photos - Courtesy of Sussex parish churches.
Photos - Courtesy of Stuart Corson
