St Leonards on Sea, Christ Church
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The bells
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
6-0-10 cwt |
29.00" |
1413 Hz |
F |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
2 |
6-3-16 cwt |
30.00" |
1316 Hz |
E |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
3 |
7-2-6 cwt |
32.00" |
1161.5 Hz |
D |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
4 |
8-3-24 cwt |
33.50" |
1043.5 Hz |
C |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
5 |
9-3-25 cwt |
35.50" |
935.5 Hz |
Bb |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
6 |
11-3-6 cwt |
37.50" |
876 Hz |
A |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
7 |
14-1-2 cwt |
39.50" |
780.5 Hz |
G |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
8 |
<20 cwt |
45.00" |
698 Hz |
F |
Gillett & Johnston |
1894 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Service |
3-1-15 cwt |
23.75" |
1588 Hz |
G |
John Taylor Bellfounders Ltd |
1999 |
Flat |
Dead |
8 Bells, c.20-0-0 in F
St Leonards, Christ Church (Old Church)
A few yards south of the present church is the former Hastings, Christ Church, erected in 1860 with a small tower. John Warner & Sons supplied a single bell in 1860, presumably hung for stationary chiming. It was cast with their name around the inscription band and the royal coat of arms on the waist. Unfortunately, there is no record of its size and weight, but it probably measured around 20" in diameter.
Today, the octagonal section of the tower has been removed and the roof lead-lined, but a painting shows it was still there in 1902.
St Leonards, Christ Church (Old Church)
A few yards south of the present church is the former Hastings, Christ Church, erected in 1860 with a small tower. John Warner & Sons supplied a single bell in 1860, presumably hung for stationary chiming. It was cast with their name around the inscription band and the royal coat of arms on the waist. Unfortunately, there is no record of its size and weight, but it probably measured around 20" in diameter.
Today, the octagonal section of the tower has been removed and the roof lead-lined, but a painting shows it was still there in 1902.
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Dedication of the new tower
Though planned from the start, extra fundraising was required to add a tower to the church, which was completed in 1895. It was dedicated the day before Father Charles Lyndhurst Vaughan's 68th birthday, on Tuesday 5 April 1896. Devastatingly, Vaughan died six months earlier while hiking in the Alps. Father Vaughan oversaw the building of the entire church, choosing the prolific Arthur Blomfield as his architect.
Croydon founders Gillett & Johnston supplied a complete peal of eight bells, hung for change ringing. They were cast and tuned to the key of F, and appear to have had Doncaster-type canons. Interestingly, all the bells are identical in proportion. Their canons and crown staples were removed in 1999, so their original weights are as follows:
6-1-7 cwt; 7-1-2 cwt; 7-3-11 cwt; 9-0-7 cwt; 10-2-11 cwt; 12-0-14 cwt; 14-3-0 cwt; 20-0-0 cwt.
As shown by their inscriptions, the back six bells are dedicated to individuals. Bells 3–6 are memorial bells; the 7th is dedicated to the churchwardens; and the tenor to the rector and donor. The names appear to be fairly low-profile, except for Augustus Arthur Currie, whose name appears on bell 3; he was a captain in the Bengal Staff Corps.
Though planned from the start, extra fundraising was required to add a tower to the church, which was completed in 1895. It was dedicated the day before Father Charles Lyndhurst Vaughan's 68th birthday, on Tuesday 5 April 1896. Devastatingly, Vaughan died six months earlier while hiking in the Alps. Father Vaughan oversaw the building of the entire church, choosing the prolific Arthur Blomfield as his architect.
Croydon founders Gillett & Johnston supplied a complete peal of eight bells, hung for change ringing. They were cast and tuned to the key of F, and appear to have had Doncaster-type canons. Interestingly, all the bells are identical in proportion. Their canons and crown staples were removed in 1999, so their original weights are as follows:
6-1-7 cwt; 7-1-2 cwt; 7-3-11 cwt; 9-0-7 cwt; 10-2-11 cwt; 12-0-14 cwt; 14-3-0 cwt; 20-0-0 cwt.
As shown by their inscriptions, the back six bells are dedicated to individuals. Bells 3–6 are memorial bells; the 7th is dedicated to the churchwardens; and the tenor to the rector and donor. The names appear to be fairly low-profile, except for Augustus Arthur Currie, whose name appears on bell 3; he was a captain in the Bengal Staff Corps.
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Charles Lyndhurst Vaughan
Vaughan's mother, Louisa, Lady St John, bought land on London Road and paid for a new church to be built there. This became the old Christ Church. In 1863, she convinced Charles, who was part of the Oxford Movement, to become Priest-in-Charge. After Vaughan's mission proved a great success, a new and larger church was required. £8,000 was raised, and Vaughan built a new church. He became its first rector in 1884, as well as its founding father. He is commemorated on the tenor bell, which was given to him by Susanna Haworth. |
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All the bells carry a mix of Gillett’s old Gothic Revival lettering and their block Roman capitals to form the inscriptions. The 6th also has the addition of a cat ornament on the waist. All the bells, except the treble, 3, 4, 6, and tenor, were chip-tuned at the soundbow to lower the nominal. Bells 2 and 3 were heavily skirted at the lip to raise it.
The first peal rung on the bells was scored on 8 June 1898, being the first peal rung in the borough of Hastings. It featured six of the Christ Church ringers and two from Bexhill-on-Sea.
The 1999 restoration
A major restoration was carried out by John Taylor & Co. Bellfounders Ltd in 1999. This included the removal of the canons and crown staples, the replacement of all fittings, the installation of a new frame arranged in a different layout, and the addition of a new service bell.
The old frame was arranged in a cross, with the 7th in the middle; bells 1&2 in a pair; 3&4 in a pair; 5&6 in a pair; and the tenor hung alone. Elphick included a sketch in his book to demonstrate how Gillett’s achieved the hanging of a peal of bells in an octagonal tower. The two trebles were hung where the 7th is now, and access required climbing through the treble pit after entering via the belfry trapdoor. The old composite frame consisted of channel iron heads, cast-iron braces, and wooden sills.
The present frame is made entirely of cast-iron 8.3.A.h trusses, arranged in a layout similar to 8.3, but with five bells in the middle instead of four. Bells 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 all swing in the same direction in the centre; bell 7 swings perpendicular to them on the west side; and bells 3 and 4 swing perpendicular together on the east side.”
The first peal rung on the bells was scored on 8 June 1898, being the first peal rung in the borough of Hastings. It featured six of the Christ Church ringers and two from Bexhill-on-Sea.
The 1999 restoration
A major restoration was carried out by John Taylor & Co. Bellfounders Ltd in 1999. This included the removal of the canons and crown staples, the replacement of all fittings, the installation of a new frame arranged in a different layout, and the addition of a new service bell.
The old frame was arranged in a cross, with the 7th in the middle; bells 1&2 in a pair; 3&4 in a pair; 5&6 in a pair; and the tenor hung alone. Elphick included a sketch in his book to demonstrate how Gillett’s achieved the hanging of a peal of bells in an octagonal tower. The two trebles were hung where the 7th is now, and access required climbing through the treble pit after entering via the belfry trapdoor. The old composite frame consisted of channel iron heads, cast-iron braces, and wooden sills.
The present frame is made entirely of cast-iron 8.3.A.h trusses, arranged in a layout similar to 8.3, but with five bells in the middle instead of four. Bells 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 all swing in the same direction in the centre; bell 7 swings perpendicular to them on the west side; and bells 3 and 4 swing perpendicular together on the east side.”
Taylors cast a new service bell, fitted with an electro-hammer which also chimes the Angelus throughout the day. It carries a Latin inscription with the date and foundry medallion. It is hung directly above the trapdoor and is Simpson-tuned to the key of G. It was cast without canons and is bolted to a steel headstock.
Due to the replacement of the frame, the bell hammers could no longer be used and were preserved in the clock room. The Ellacombe apparatus was also retired in the same year.
Restoration of the clock mechanism
In 2026, the clock movement was fully overhauled by the Cumbria Clock Company, bringing the quarter chimes and hour strike back into full operation. It was converted back to hand-winding, and new electro-hammers were fitted due to the lack of space available for the original gravity hammer. The clock is a three-train Westminster chiming movement with a gravity escapement, the system designed by Grimthorpe for use on Big Ben. It was installed at the same time as the bells and is driven by three large weights, weighing 4-0-27 cwt in total. The clock dials were restored by Smiths of Derby around 2021.
Visited: 19/01/2026
Due to the replacement of the frame, the bell hammers could no longer be used and were preserved in the clock room. The Ellacombe apparatus was also retired in the same year.
Restoration of the clock mechanism
In 2026, the clock movement was fully overhauled by the Cumbria Clock Company, bringing the quarter chimes and hour strike back into full operation. It was converted back to hand-winding, and new electro-hammers were fitted due to the lack of space available for the original gravity hammer. The clock is a three-train Westminster chiming movement with a gravity escapement, the system designed by Grimthorpe for use on Big Ben. It was installed at the same time as the bells and is driven by three large weights, weighing 4-0-27 cwt in total. The clock dials were restored by Smiths of Derby around 2021.
Visited: 19/01/2026
Recordings of the bells
How the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
Key [measured in cents]:
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
Bell 1
Hum - 355.5Hz - F+31
Prime - 616Hz - Eb-16
Tierce - 827.5Hz - Ab-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1096Hz - Db-19
Nominal - 1413Hz - F+20
Prime - 616Hz - Eb-16
Tierce - 827.5Hz - Ab-5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1096Hz - Db-19
Nominal - 1413Hz - F+20
| stleonardsonseaone.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 340Hz - F-45
Prime - 579Hz - D-24
Tierce - 774.5Hz - G-20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1053.5Hz - C+12
Nominal - 1316Hz - E-2
Prime - 579Hz - D-24
Tierce - 774.5Hz - G-20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1053.5Hz - C+12
Nominal - 1316Hz - E-2
| stleonardsonseatwo.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 296.5Hz - D+17
Prime - 521.5Hz - C-5
Tierce - 683.5Hz - F-36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 903Hz - A+45
Nominal - 1161.5Hz - D-19
Prime - 521.5Hz - C-5
Tierce - 683.5Hz - F-36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 903Hz - A+45
Nominal - 1161.5Hz - D-19
| stleonardsonseathree.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 272.5Hz - Db-28
Prime - 472Hz - Bb+22
Tierce - 616.5Hz - Eb-15 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 829.5Hz - Ab-1
Nominal - 1043.5Hz - C-4
Prime - 472Hz - Bb+22
Tierce - 616.5Hz - Eb-15 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 829.5Hz - Ab-1
Nominal - 1043.5Hz - C-4
| stleonardsonseafour.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 246.5Hz - B-2
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 553.5Hz - Db-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 758.5Hz - F#+43
Nominal - 935.5Hz - Bb+6
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 553.5Hz - Db-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 758.5Hz - F#+43
Nominal - 935.5Hz - Bb+6
| stleonardsonseafive.mp3 |
Bell 6
Hum - 230.5Hz - Bb-18
Prime - 405.5Hz - Ab-40
Tierce - 522Hz - C-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 679.5Hz - E+58
Nominal - 876Hz - A-7
Prime - 405.5Hz - Ab-40
Tierce - 522Hz - C-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 679.5Hz - E+58
Nominal - 876Hz - A-7
| stleonardsonseasix.mp3 |
Bell 7
Hum - 206Hz - Ab-13
Prime - 373Hz - F#+14
Tierce - 465Hz - Bb-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 621.5Hz - Eb-1
Nominal - 780.5Hz - G-7
Prime - 373Hz - F#+14
Tierce - 465Hz - Bb-3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 621.5Hz - Eb-1
Nominal - 780.5Hz - G-7
| stleonardsonseaseven.mp3 |
Bell 8
Hum - 195Hz - G -8
Prime - 323.5Hz - E-31
Tierce - 418Hz - Ab+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 566.5Hz - Db+37
Nominal - 698Hz - F+0
Prime - 323.5Hz - E-31
Tierce - 418Hz - Ab+11 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 566.5Hz - Db+37
Nominal - 698Hz - F+0
| stleonardsonseaeight.mp3 |
Service
Hum - 396Hz - G +18
Prime - 794.5Hz - G+23
Tierce - 943Hz - Bb+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1210Hz - Eb-48
Nominal - 1588Hz - G+22
Prime - 794.5Hz - G+23
Tierce - 943Hz - Bb+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1210Hz - Eb-48
Nominal - 1588Hz - G+22
| stleonardsonseasanctus.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
New Church
1 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1894 GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI |
2 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1894. GLORIFICAMUS TE. |
3 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1894. ADORAMUS TE. AUGUSTUS ARTHURUS CURRIE NAT AD XII KAL FEB 1831 OB AD X KAL MAI 1884 A M D G DOLENTES IN MEMORIAM |
4 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON. BENEDICIMUS TE IN MEMORIAM CLARE WOODGATE PIA EJUS EMILIA ME DONC DEDIT 1894. |
5 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON. 1894. LAUDAMUS TE CARLOTTA RAYDEN OBDORMIVIT A. D. XIII. KAL. MAI. 1885. A . M . D . G . |
6 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1894. HOMINIBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS. [:] JOANNES GRANVILLE BEAUMONT PULTENEY TERTIO ANTE KALENDAS JULI DIE OBIT AD 1879 ME DESIDERIO PROPINQUI DD |
7 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON 1894. IN TERRA PAX. JOHANNES CLEOPHAS RATLIFF } THOMAS HERBERTUS WADD } CURATORES. |
8 |
GILLETT & JOHNSTON FOUNDERS CROYDON. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO CAROLI HERBERTI REGINALI QUOQUE EDMUND HAWORTH PIA MATER SUSANNA CAROLO LYNDHURST VAUGHAN A. M. FUNDATORE AC HUJUS ECCLESIAE RECTORE ME DONO DEDIT A. D. 1894. |
Service |
ANGELUS DOMINI NUNCIAVIT MARIAE : ET CONCEPIT DE SPIRITU SANCTO * 19 (T) 99 THIS BELL WAS COMMISSIONED TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENARY OF WILSON & SONS, BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS OF THIS PARISH. SANCTA MARIA SINE LABE CONCEPTA ORA PRO ANGLIA * |
Old Church
1 |
J . WARNER & SONS LONDON 1860 @ PATENT |
Latin Translations:
* = Fig. LX,c
(T) = Fig. LVIII,c
@ = Fig. JWA,1
[:] = Cat ornament
- 1: GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI - We give thanks to you.
- 2: GLORIFICAMUS TE. - We glorify you.
- 3: ADORAMUS TE. AUGUSTUS ARTHURUS CURRIE NAT AD XII KAL FEB 1831 OB AD X KAL MAI 1884 A M D G DOLENTES IN MEMORIAM - We worship you. Augustus Arthur Currie, born on the 12th day of February 1831 AD. Died on the 10th day of May 1884 AD. For the greater glory of God. Grieving in memory.
- 4: BENEDICIMUS TE IN MEMORIAM CLARE WOODGATE PIA EJUS EMILIA ME DONC DECIT 1894 - We bless you. In memory of Clare Woodgate. Her pious daughter Emilia gave me as a gift 1894.
- 5: LAUDAMUS TE CARLOTTA RAYDEN OBDORMIVIT A D XIII KAL MAI 1885 A M D G - We praise you. Charlotte Rayden, who fell asleep on the 13th day of May 1885 AD. For the greater glory of God
- 6: HOMINIBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS. JOHANNES GRANVILLE BEAUMONT PULTENEY TERTIO ANTE KALENDAS JULI DIE OBIT AD 1879 ME DESIDERIO PROPINQUI DD - To men of good will. John Granville Beaumont Pulteney, who died three days before July 1879. I grief my relative.
- 7: IN TERRA PAX. - Peace on Earth
- 8: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO CAROLI HERBERTI REGINALI QUOQUE EDMUND HAWORTH PIA MATER SUSANNA CAROLO LYNDHURST VAUGHAN A M FUNDATORE AC HUJUS ECCLESIAE RECTORE ME DONO DEDIT A D 1894. - Glory to God in the highest. Charles, Herbert, Reginald and also Edmund Haworth. Their pious mother Susanna gave me as a gift for Charles Lyndhurst Vaughan M.A., the founder and rector of this church A.D 1894
- Service: ANGELUS DOMINI NUNCIAVIT MARIAE : ET CONCEPIT DE SPIRITU SANCTO. SANCTA MARIA SINE LABE CONCEPTA ORA PRO ANGLIA - The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Holy Mary, conceived without sin, pray for England.
* = Fig. LX,c
(T) = Fig. LVIII,c
@ = Fig. JWA,1
[:] = Cat ornament
Photographs:
*Click on the photos to enlarge them*
Sources:
© Kye L Leaver 2026. All rights reserved.
- TYSSEN, Amhurst. D (1864): The Church Bells of Sussex
- ELPHICK, George P. (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- PINK, Alan & Louise
- Church guides
- Gillett & Johnston "BELLS" book - Croydon Museum Archives.
- https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/hastings-christ-church-london-road-st-leonards/
© Kye L Leaver 2026. All rights reserved.
