Spithurst, Former Church of
St Bartholomews
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
16.13" |
1879 |
Yes |
Swing Chime |
About the Bell
1 Bell
Spithurst had a single bell hung in a south facing turret. Land was given for the church in 1838 though it was not built until 1879. The church was designed by Henry Card of Lewes. 100
John Warner & Sons supplied a single bell measuring 16" in diameter, weighing around 0-3-0cwt.
The bell was strapped to wooden headstock by a conventional canon. Looking at recent photographs, it doesn't look as if the bell has ever been turned. It was chimed by a lever on plain bearings. 101
Around the soundbow is a inscription reading:
J . WARNER & SONS . LONDON . 1879 .
in Warner's block capital font.
Interestingly, on the waist, the date 1965 can be seen scratched on. Above this, RDAY's can also be made out. Could there have been work done on the bell during this year?
The bell has a pair of moulding wires on the crown and another pair above the soundbow. Engraved lines can also be seen at the top of the waist too.
In the 1970s, the church was still lit by candle light and there were attempts to close it down at this time, although this did not happen until 1994. 100
The church has now been converted into a diocesan youth centre called St Bartz.
The bell was removed from the bellcote in 2019 by John Taylor & Co after it was hanging in a dangerous condition.
Taylors give the update that "it has been lowered to safety."
In March, Google Maps still shows the bell in the turret.
The work was complete between April - June. 102
The bell was later listed on churchantiques.com and then sold to a private owner.
They also mention that the bell was working fine up until 2019. 101
It was hung in a stone A frame and rung by a red, white and green sallied rope. Judging by the large photograph below, the rope was attached to a metal rod hooked onto the lever.
Spithurst had a single bell hung in a south facing turret. Land was given for the church in 1838 though it was not built until 1879. The church was designed by Henry Card of Lewes. 100
John Warner & Sons supplied a single bell measuring 16" in diameter, weighing around 0-3-0cwt.
The bell was strapped to wooden headstock by a conventional canon. Looking at recent photographs, it doesn't look as if the bell has ever been turned. It was chimed by a lever on plain bearings. 101
Around the soundbow is a inscription reading:
J . WARNER & SONS . LONDON . 1879 .
in Warner's block capital font.
Interestingly, on the waist, the date 1965 can be seen scratched on. Above this, RDAY's can also be made out. Could there have been work done on the bell during this year?
The bell has a pair of moulding wires on the crown and another pair above the soundbow. Engraved lines can also be seen at the top of the waist too.
In the 1970s, the church was still lit by candle light and there were attempts to close it down at this time, although this did not happen until 1994. 100
The church has now been converted into a diocesan youth centre called St Bartz.
The bell was removed from the bellcote in 2019 by John Taylor & Co after it was hanging in a dangerous condition.
Taylors give the update that "it has been lowered to safety."
In March, Google Maps still shows the bell in the turret.
The work was complete between April - June. 102
The bell was later listed on churchantiques.com and then sold to a private owner.
They also mention that the bell was working fine up until 2019. 101
It was hung in a stone A frame and rung by a red, white and green sallied rope. Judging by the large photograph below, the rope was attached to a metal rod hooked onto the lever.
Photo from https://churchantiques.com/product/full-size-antique-1879-bronze-church-bell-from-st-bartholomews-spithurst/#
Inscriptions:
1 |
J . WARNER & SONS . LONDON . 1879 . |
Photographs:
Photo credits to Sussex-Opc and Churchantiques
Sources:
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/spithurst-st-bartholomew/
101 - https://churchantiques.com/product/full-size-antique-1879-bronze-church-bell-from-st-bartholomews-spithurst/#
102 - https://taylorbells.co.uk/project/barcombe-east-sussex/
Cover photo - http://www.powpics.info/?c=328
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/spithurst-st-bartholomew/
101 - https://churchantiques.com/product/full-size-antique-1879-bronze-church-bell-from-st-bartholomews-spithurst/#
102 - https://taylorbells.co.uk/project/barcombe-east-sussex/
Cover photo - http://www.powpics.info/?c=328
