Bells of the City of Westminster


 
St Paul
 

Knightsbridge, St Paul, Wilton Place


Photo: Dickon R Love, May 2001

  • 3 bells hung for full circle ringing, but derelict
  • Tenor: 22-0-11 in E♭.
  • Grid Ref: TQ281797
  • Bells tuned to 1,4,8 of a ring of 8
  • Rung from: Open Gallery
  • Frame: 1843 Thomas Mears II, extended 1846 Charles & George Mears
  • Building Listed Grade: II*. Click for Heritage details.

Details of the Bells

Bell Weight
(most recent)*
Weight
(WBF report of 2001)
Diameter Note Date FounderRetuned
® 1 6-2-46-2-1432" E♭ 1843 Thomas Mears IINever
® 2 8-1-1336" B♭ 1846 Charles & George Mears, WhitechapelNever
® 3 22-0-1150" E♭ 1843 Thomas Mears IINever

* Source of weight figures: WBF records
®  - Hung for full circle ringing

Bellframes

Position
Frame Bells Year Maker Material Truss(es) Local
Layout
Single level 1 1,3 1843 Timber

Single level 1.1 2 1846 Charles & George Mears, Whitechapel Timber

History

1840 The church was built by Thomas Cundy, being a Commissioners Church (2nd Parliamentary Grant) at a cost of £10,000. It was completed in 1843.
1843 2 bells cast for the new church by Thomas Mears II. They were an octave apart and hung in a frame for 2 for full circle ringing. Foundry records show that the bells, stocks, wheels and frame cost £180.8s.2d.
1846 A 3rd bell was added by Charles & George Mears with additional framework hung for ringing. This was used with the new clock (supplied by Dent's) to be a quarter bell along with the other small bell. The hours were struck on the tenor. Foundry records show that the bell cost £56.12s.3d., the clapper £1, the stock, wheel, ironwork, brasses £6.10s, two 80ft ropes £1.1s, and frame, additional rollers and hanging £14.2s.6d. They were invoiced out to E.J. Dent.
1889 The church was reopened after restoration on 20 Dec.
2001 The church investigated the possibility of renovating the belfry with 3 options presented by Whitechapel: 1. Rehanging the 3 bells dead with either trigger action clappers or electro-magnetic clappers 2. Recasting the 2 smaller bells into 8 with a tenor of 7˝ cwt in B flat, with either Ellacombe chiming apparatus or electrically operated, giving the tenor a trigger action clapper of electro-magnetic action. 3. Recasting the 3 bells into a new chime of 8 in E flat with either Ellacombe chiming apparatus or electrically operated. The Parish had decided on the 2nd option, but never pursued it.

Gallery


The tenor.
Photo: Dickon R Love, May 2001

Tenor on left. Treble on right.
Photo: Dickon R Love, May 2001

Tenor on right. Middle in background.
Photo: Dickon R Love, May 2001

The tenor. As a post script to this page, the Editor would like to note that this tower represented one of the most hair raising ascents he has ever undertaken. Not one for the faint hearted!
Photo: Dickon R Love, May 2001


Love's Guide to the Bells of the City of Westminster Page updated: 15 April 2022