The Tower and Bells

Church records show that the original ring of six bells was cast in 1743 by Abel Rudhall in his Gloucester foundry. It is probable that two or three were recast from pre-Reformation bells and the heaviest was 6 cwt. In 1812, the six became seven when John Hignet of Rowton donated money for another bell which became the new Tenor. Eighteen years later Abel Rudhall was commissioned to cast a new Treble giving Christleton its first ring of eight. At the time of the rebuilding of the church in 1876, a representative of the Warner's Company of London inspected the bells and reported that "they needed overhauling". The bells were taken to the Whitechapel Foundry, where they were retuned and the second being cracked, was recast. In the previous church, in order to wind the clock or to raise the flag on the top of the tower, access was gained to the spiral stairs through a door in the south wall inside the tower. During the rebuilding of the church this doorway was closed up (the outside can still be seen) and a new door was fitted giving access from outside the church. The bells had always been rung from the ground floor but this area became the  Baptistry, and a new Ringing Chamber was fitted out half way up the tower. Unfortunately the space in the new chamber was very cramped and despite relocating the ropes it was difficult to stand behind the ropes. The architect, not being a ringer, suggested all would be well if the ringers faced outwards thus providing more space! This problem was resolved by chiselling alcoves in the tower walls for three ringers to cosily to stand in. The bells were rung for the first time from the new Ringing Chamber on the first Sunday in October 1877. The bells however were not very good musically and following complaints from the villagers it was decided in January 1927 to launch a public appeal for them to be recast. In just one week over  600 was raised, which was more than enough to cover the recasting costs. The following year the bells were taken to Taylor's Bellfoundry in Loughborough. They were recast and retuned in the key of F. The original oak frame was replaced with one of steel and the "new" eight rehung on two levels instead of one. Some of the oak from the old frame was used to make the church lyche gates, the work being done by Mayers local contractors, whose family had also been active ringers. The recast bells were a vast improvement in every way, and are considered to be one of the best rings of eight in the area. All the names, details and dates on the Rudhall bells were faithfully reproduced on the shoulders and waists of the recast Taylor bells. The Treble weighs 3 1/2 cwt's and the Tenor 12 1/2 cwts. The bells are not heavy when compared with many other bells and because they swing so well they are not difficult to ring. The ringers of Christleton are members of the Chester Branch of the Chester Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers.  The achievements of the Christleton ringers, under the title of Christleton College Youths are recorded on the fine collection of Peal Boards in the tower and date back to 1830 for events of national importance. There have been 77 peals rung at St James', the first Peal was on 15th September 1830 and the most recent on Friday 27 July 2000 when Christleton ringers successfully completed the ringing of a Millenium Date Peal consisting of 2000 changes of Plain Bob Major. The Peal was also dedicated to the Queen Mother's Centenary Birthday.

A sample recording of the bells is given here  .

Ringing practice takes place on Tuesday evenings from 7-30pm until 9pm and visiting ringers as well as anyone wishing to take up ringing are very welcome to come along.