Treyford, Former church of St Peter
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4 cwt |
26.25" |
Charles & George Mears |
1849 |
Swing Chime |
About the Bell
1 Bell
Treyford used to have two churches, St peters and a smaller church, St Mary. St Mary's is now in ruins and St Peter's is completely demolished.
The church was known as the "Cathedral of the Downs" because of its size. The spire was a height of 120 feet! It was built in 1849 and stood for 102 years. It was demolished in 1951 as it became unsafe and was incredibly hard to repair. The church was build under the intention to replace the churches of Treyford, St Mary and Elstead as they had fallen into ruins.
The church fell into disrepair as the stone used, which was a soft stone called "clutch", which became rationed and over time, the stone on the church walls was beginning to be eaten away by the elements, the inadequate foundations were removed and the buttresses perished. The steeple also started to crack and lean. In return, this made the authorities condemn it and the insurance refused liability. They also gave an estimation of £10,000 for the repairs. In the end, the decision was made that the only way forward for the church was demolition.
The demolition team used wood from the interior of the church to create a small cabin for them to stay in for the next few months while the church was being taken down.
The church pews were sold to a Boys School in Worcestershire, the organ was not sold due to it's poor condition, the rector refused the bid of £5 as he expected more for 94lbs of metal piping.
The Rector and a man turned their attention to the tower while the demolition process was happening.
They moved over to the West of the church where a "stout" ladder led up to the first chamber of the tower, all was well. Further up, they came to the second floor of the tower. Looking across, a single bell hung alone which was soon to be taken out of it's home which was crumbling away. The whole 15 x 15 foot belfry was completely carpeted in twigs from Jackdaws. Carpeted is a generous word for it as it was noted that the whole floor was covered completely in a 9" thick layer of twigs.110
The Bell was cast in 1849 by the London Foundry Charles & George Mears which dropped the use of the word "fecit" in their bell's inscriptions, meaning "to make" in latin. The bell weighed around 4 cwt and measured 26.25" in diameter. It was hung for swing chime and most likely had a Conventional canon like most C & G Mears bells.
George Elphick says that the bell was sent back to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for scraps but an online article says that it was sold to the same school in Worcestershire that bought the pews.
The man who was present with the Rector while the demolition was taking place had the impulse to lay his hand on the rope and the Rector replied "Go ahead".
For a minute or two, the man tolled a Solemn farewell to ring out across the Downs. The bell then fell silent never to be rung again in the church or St Peter Treyford.
Nothing remains left of the church building, but the gravestones still remain and will continue to be there surrounded by the trees.
Treyford used to have two churches, St peters and a smaller church, St Mary. St Mary's is now in ruins and St Peter's is completely demolished.
The church was known as the "Cathedral of the Downs" because of its size. The spire was a height of 120 feet! It was built in 1849 and stood for 102 years. It was demolished in 1951 as it became unsafe and was incredibly hard to repair. The church was build under the intention to replace the churches of Treyford, St Mary and Elstead as they had fallen into ruins.
The church fell into disrepair as the stone used, which was a soft stone called "clutch", which became rationed and over time, the stone on the church walls was beginning to be eaten away by the elements, the inadequate foundations were removed and the buttresses perished. The steeple also started to crack and lean. In return, this made the authorities condemn it and the insurance refused liability. They also gave an estimation of £10,000 for the repairs. In the end, the decision was made that the only way forward for the church was demolition.
The demolition team used wood from the interior of the church to create a small cabin for them to stay in for the next few months while the church was being taken down.
The church pews were sold to a Boys School in Worcestershire, the organ was not sold due to it's poor condition, the rector refused the bid of £5 as he expected more for 94lbs of metal piping.
The Rector and a man turned their attention to the tower while the demolition process was happening.
They moved over to the West of the church where a "stout" ladder led up to the first chamber of the tower, all was well. Further up, they came to the second floor of the tower. Looking across, a single bell hung alone which was soon to be taken out of it's home which was crumbling away. The whole 15 x 15 foot belfry was completely carpeted in twigs from Jackdaws. Carpeted is a generous word for it as it was noted that the whole floor was covered completely in a 9" thick layer of twigs.110
The Bell was cast in 1849 by the London Foundry Charles & George Mears which dropped the use of the word "fecit" in their bell's inscriptions, meaning "to make" in latin. The bell weighed around 4 cwt and measured 26.25" in diameter. It was hung for swing chime and most likely had a Conventional canon like most C & G Mears bells.
George Elphick says that the bell was sent back to the Whitechapel Bell Foundry for scraps but an online article says that it was sold to the same school in Worcestershire that bought the pews.
The man who was present with the Rector while the demolition was taking place had the impulse to lay his hand on the rope and the Rector replied "Go ahead".
For a minute or two, the man tolled a Solemn farewell to ring out across the Downs. The bell then fell silent never to be rung again in the church or St Peter Treyford.
Nothing remains left of the church building, but the gravestones still remain and will continue to be there surrounded by the trees.
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1849 |
Photographs:
Top and bottom left photo: gravelroots.net
Bottom Right: shutterstock.com
Bottom Right: shutterstock.com
Sources:
110: gravelroots.net/3_2.html
Data of the bell: George P Elphick
110: gravelroots.net/3_2.html
Data of the bell: George P Elphick
