Extract from an article titled ‘Our Bells’, published in the August 1977 issue of St. Mary’s Church Parish Magazine.
On November 19th 1949, the bells of St. Mary’s were heard for the first time in 36 years. Repair work had been carried out on the old bells and the new bell which was given as a thanksgiving for victory was dedicated, making the number up to six.
Charles Matson wrote:
The tower was built about the 13th and 14th centuries, and it is probable that one or more bells were then hung in it. It seems probable that the old third bell, now the fourth in our ring of six, which was cast early in the 15th century, was one of three, and it is possible that one or more of the others is a recast of the old ones. Three of our bells were cast in the 17th century and the main body of the bell frame is considered to be of this period, and there was obviously then a ring of five.
Early in the 20th century defects developed in the bell-frame and in the tower, and ringing proper was stopped c.1913 on this account.
The South Benfleet ringers who all rang on the dedication day were the misses M. Pearcey, A.J. Matson, B.N. Matson, Master P. Herbert and Messrs. G. Wines, W.E. Cooley, E. Quilter and C.L. Matson.
No. | Approx Weight cwts qrs lbs | Date & Founder | Inscription |
1 | 6 1 0 | 1664 J. Hodgson of London | John Hodgson made me 1664. C.C,C.P. C. Wardens W.H. |
2 | 7 0 0 | 1790 Thos. Mears of Whitechapel | Mr. Henry Blewitt Thos. Mears late Lester, Pack & Chapman of London, Fecit 1790 |
3 | 8 2 0 | Early 15th Century John Walgrave of London | Nomen Magdalene Campana Gerit Melodie |
4 | 9 3 0 | 1676 Miles Graye of Colchester | Miles Graye made me 1676 |
5 | 13 3 0 | 1636 John & Henry Wilner of Borden, Kent | J.W.,H.W. , made me 1636, T.W, I.R., C.W. |
In 1949 a new bell, a treble, was added. | |||
6 | 5 1 22 | 1949 Mears & Stainbank, Whitechapel | A Thanksgiving for Victory 1939 – 1945 |
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A comment on “In 1949 a new bell, a treble, was added.” I have a small hand-bell marked “Thanksgiving for Victory 1939-1945” which was presented, I believe, to my grandfather, Walter Johnson in 1949 when he was Chairman of the Council, to mark the inauguration of the new church bell. I would be very interested to know whether any other such hand-bells were made at the time and given to other council members, and whether anybody else in Benfleet has inherited one. Incidentally both bells were made in the famous Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which is now closed. The fate of this historic factory in East London is due to be decided by the government in the very near future.
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