St Leonards on Sea, Former Church of St Paul
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
49.00" |
John Murphy |
1868 |
Full Circle? |
About the Bell
1 Bell
St Pauls had a single bell hung in a North East facing tower. The church and tower were built in 1868 by J Newton and cost over £20,000. It was intended that the tower would have a spire but it was built with a flat roof. 100
Unfortunately, the church was demolished in 1965 and was the most grievous loss among Victorian churches in Hastings. The bell was scrapped so I am relying on external sources for this. 101
Our closest example of his work to us can be found at Avington, Hampshire.
It is inscribed:
If you have a judicious ear, you’ll own my voice is sweet and clear. It was said to be cracked in 1920. 102 & 103
John Murphy cast a bell for the church and was Sussex’s only example of his work. It measured 49” in diameter making it around note E. His inscription is made up of quite heavy letters. He used the ornamental stop Fig. JMU,1 at each end of worded inscription which appear to be leaves tied together with a band.
On the waist, he has a large crowned harp on the waist with 6 three-leaved clovers underneath it [Fig. JMU,2].
It would seem that the bell was in a very poor state! Elphick states that the bearings had rusted solid and the wheel had disappeared.
A block of iron 9” x 16” x 18” weighing around 737.3Lbs (6-2-9cwt) was fixed on top of the headstock to act as a counterweight. The clapper would have been similar to that found at Sullington with the baldrick being enclosed with wood.
The bell would have been cast with a conventional canon and strapped to a wooden headstock George Visited in July 1954. 101
St Pauls had a single bell hung in a North East facing tower. The church and tower were built in 1868 by J Newton and cost over £20,000. It was intended that the tower would have a spire but it was built with a flat roof. 100
Unfortunately, the church was demolished in 1965 and was the most grievous loss among Victorian churches in Hastings. The bell was scrapped so I am relying on external sources for this. 101
Our closest example of his work to us can be found at Avington, Hampshire.
It is inscribed:
If you have a judicious ear, you’ll own my voice is sweet and clear. It was said to be cracked in 1920. 102 & 103
John Murphy cast a bell for the church and was Sussex’s only example of his work. It measured 49” in diameter making it around note E. His inscription is made up of quite heavy letters. He used the ornamental stop Fig. JMU,1 at each end of worded inscription which appear to be leaves tied together with a band.
On the waist, he has a large crowned harp on the waist with 6 three-leaved clovers underneath it [Fig. JMU,2].
It would seem that the bell was in a very poor state! Elphick states that the bearings had rusted solid and the wheel had disappeared.
A block of iron 9” x 16” x 18” weighing around 737.3Lbs (6-2-9cwt) was fixed on top of the headstock to act as a counterweight. The clapper would have been similar to that found at Sullington with the baldrick being enclosed with wood.
The bell would have been cast with a conventional canon and strapped to a wooden headstock George Visited in July 1954. 101
Inscriptions:
1 |
◚SṬ PAULS CHURCH SṬ LEONARDS ON SEA 1868 ◚ ◚J MURPHY FOUNDER DUBLIN ◚ ♛ |
◚ = Fig. JMU,1
♛ = Fig. JMU,2
♛ = Fig. JMU,2
Photographs:
Photos by www.sussex-opc.org
|
Sources:
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/hastings-st-paul-church-road-st-leonards/
101 - Sussex Bells and Belfried by George Elphick. p.185-186, 379
102 - Dove’s Guide for Church Bell Ringers
103 - Hampshire Church Bells by W. E. Colchester p.68
100 - https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/hastings-st-paul-church-road-st-leonards/
101 - Sussex Bells and Belfried by George Elphick. p.185-186, 379
102 - Dove’s Guide for Church Bell Ringers
103 - Hampshire Church Bells by W. E. Colchester p.68
