A Brief Tower History

Pre 1300	A Church existed on the site
Around 1300	The Chancel rebuilt
Before 1341	The Lower part of the Tower and Trancepts added
Mid 14 c	The Belfry was added
Late 14c	The Lantern was added. Some say as an octagon Others as a circular lantern
1598	There may have been as many as 12 bells in the Tower
1644/45 The Civil War	The Church was attacked many times and the double helix staircase may have been built at that time as part of the siege works. The church was ruined in the fighting. Many died in the tower. The tower was probably burnt out. The Lantern was ruined. Bell metal is also gunmetal !! Only one bell is thought to have survived.
1660	The Lantern collapsed, causing other damage
Late 17c	The current Octagon Lantern is built.
1831	The tower and Chancel were restored by R.D Chantrell.
1863	6 Bells were installed
1905	The Old tenor bell was recast and 2 new trebles added to give the current ring of 8 bells. Cost £349 12s 4d

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Last Updated 24^th March 2020