East Markham
St John the Baptist

Bells

The west tower contains a ring of eight bells:

 

 Inscription    

1
Waist: Let this bell ring
to the GLORY OF GOD
and in loving memory of
Ann Cowlishaw
who passed to her rest
6th April 1916		  
Reverse: 19(T)24  

 

 25" 3.1.26

2
Waist: Let this bell ring
to the GLORY OF GOD
and in loving and grateful memory of
Henry Cowlishaw
who fell asleep 2nd July 1924
Reverse: 19(T)24

 

 27" 4.0.20

3

* GIVE GOD THE PRAISE * *

Waist: This bell is the gift of
an anonymous friend
through Mr Fred W. Wells
Solicitor, Retford
Reverse side: (T)
A.D. 1895
29" 5.0.14

4

TO GOD AND HIS CHURCH

Waist: G. W. BRAMELD, VICAR
W. H. CANON, A. K. C. CURATE
H. COWLISHAW JUNR  } CHURCH
C. CRAWFORD } WARDENS
31.25" 6.0.11

5

ALL GLORI BE TO GOD 1637

 33" 5.1.23

6

+ GOD SAVE THE CHVRCH 1637

 34.625" 6.1.26

7

I sweetly toling men do call
to taste on meate that feeds the soule
1637

 37.25" 7.3.26

8

all men that hear my mornful sound
repent before you lye in the ground.
1637. T. E.

 40.625" 9.3.1 F

9 (Sanctus bell)

 

 15"  

The 1552 Inventories of Church Goods taken by commissioners during Edward VI’s reign recorded three bells in the steeple, one hand bell, and a small sacring bell.

In 1637 four bells were hung in the tower. The Rev R F Wilkinson (1929) claims that the letters and dates on the four oldest bells indicated that they were recast from an older peal in Oldfield’s Foundry; George Dawson has confirmed that they are the work of George Oldfield I and represent the largest number surviving in any tower by him.

The sanctus bell, although blank, stylistically appears to date from the 16th century.

In a survey of churches in England and Wales made by Browne Willis in 1740, East Markham is recorded as having five bells.

The bells were rehung in 1893 by Taylors of Loughborough on new oak beams gifted by the Duke of Newcastle and two new bells (Bells 3 and 4) were added in 1895.

In 1925 the two newest bells (Bells 1 and 2) were given to the church by T W Hopps of Leamington in memory of his aunt and uncle.

Belfry Miniature bells

The belfry was completely refurbished in 1981. A miniature replica of the bells was raffled to help towards the cost. The winners of the raffle presented the replica to the church and it can now be seen in the chancel.