The Church Bells of the City of London

ST CLEMENT, EASTCHEAP

Photo DrL May 2001
1 bell hung for ringing (without stay or slider)
Weight: 6½ cwt approx. in C
Upstairs ringing room.
Formerly a ring of 3 bells prior to the Great Fire.

DETAILS OF THE BELL

Bell

Weight

Diameter

Note

Cast

 Founder

Single Bell

 6½ cwt approx. 33¼" C

1828

 Thomas Mears II
1. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT. 1828.
 

HISTORY

1552

Record of "Item in the Stepull of the said churche iij great bells and one sauncts bell" and also two little bells of silver (i.e. 3 bells and a Sanctus).

1638

New rope provided for the saints bell.

1646

Francis Hewet [or Lewet?] was paid "for tackinge up some of the bells & new hanginge them, 10s."

1651

The 2nd (of 3) received a new wheel, and the sanctus bell was mended at a cost of £1.1.6.

1666

Former church entirely demolished in the Great Fire.

1668

Money was paid "for mending the bells". This implies that the bells and tower were not badly damaged.

1670

Records say the little bell received a new rope.

1683-7

Present church erected by Wren with a south west tower, 88ft high.

1687

A new bell was cast (probably by Wightmans according to Walters) for £14.12.3 and hung for £4.12.3.

1829

Present bell cast.

1939

Church suffered minor wartime damage.

GALLERY
Photo DrL Dec 2002 Photo DrL Dec 2002 Photo DrL Dec 2002
The bell is seen here hanging in its timber frame with an electronic clock hammer on the near side. The bell being rung up.
    Church in 1830.