Contents
St John the Baptist is the Parish Church of Croydon, in the Diocese of
Southwark. Its tower houses a fine peal of 12 bells (tenor: 37 cwt in C#)
cast by Gillett and Johnston in 1936. The tower and ringers are
affiliated to the
Surrey Association of Church Bell Ringers.
Contents |
|
The church was probably founded in the 9th century but the Domesday Book of 1086 contains the earliest written record of it. The church was enlarged and altered over the centuries in a variety of different styles, including Norman, Early English and Decorated. During 1849, the church was again enlarged and altered to Early Perpendicular style only to be almost completely destroyed just 18 years later by the great fire of 1867.
The devastating fire was witnessed by a reporter who wrote: "Amid a plethora of devastation, a blinding snowstorm, accompanied by a heavy gale of wind, added to the terrors of the night... Nor were the stained glass windows ever seen to such advantage as when lighted up by fitful gleams from within. The nave, the aisles, the chancel, the porches and the well-proportioned tower were now in the grip of a relentless master, and before midnight the fine peal of bells had been silenced and displaced."
Only the tower and south porch survived the fire. Restoration of the church was the task of Sir Gilbert Scott RA, whose grand design left room and scope for stained glass artists to display their craftsmanship. The tower was restored externally after the fire (its interior dates back to the 15th century) and a new west doorway added at its base.
Practice Night is Tuesday from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
There is a special 12-bell practice on the first Tuesday of each month.
It is always advisable for visitors to check in advance to confirm because occasionally ringing may be cancelled due to an event in the church.
| Tower Contact | : | Mrs Shirley McGill | Tel: 020-8406-3083 |
We attempt, in our ringing at St John's Croydon, to accomplish two tasks. First, we provide as high a standard of ringing as possible to accompany services or other occasions when the sound of bells is required. To this end we have recently concentrated not only on general ringing but also on quarter peals in order to give as many people as possible the experience of these.
Secondly, we attempt to provide an opportunity for 12-bell ringing for anyone in the area who wants to improve their skills up to this number. Visitors to our regular 12-bell practice are gaining experience on both 10 and 12 bells. Why not join us on the first Tuesday in the month?
There are now actually 14 bells - a ring of 12 with 2 extra bells. An extra 'flat 6th' was added in 1946 by Gillett & Johnston, which allows the use of a 'middle 8'. An 'extra treble' was added in 1978 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which allows the use of a 'light 10' and 'front 6'. The 12 bells all hang in one main frame, and the 2 extra bells hang in separate frames above the main frame.
There is also an unusual 'clapper turning mechanism' installed above the Tenor bell. This novel labour-saving safety device is able to 'flip' the Tenor clapper over to the correct side of the bell (in the usual case where it has been rung-up 'wrong'). It is operated by pulling on a special rope in the ringing room. Otherwise, a ringer would have to climb more stairs to the bell chamber, clamber amongst the raised bells, and change the position of the clapper by hand - a potentially dangerous procedure!
| No: | Weight & Note | Inscription | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Treble | 5-0-24 in A# | The Ringers Bell. Whitechapel Bell Foundry 1978 In memory of: Norman S. Brown, Daniel D. Cooper, George K. Humphries, Jack Cawley, Claude St.C.Parks, Herbert G. Pratt, Frank E. Mitchell. |
|
| Treble | 5-3-0 in G# | Given by old friends of the Parish Church. | |
| 2nd | 6-0-14 in F# | To commemorate 45 years of happy married life of Frank Lloyd and Helen Mills married in Croydon Parish Church 18.5.1881. | |
| 3rd | 6-1-25 in E# | In memory of Eugenie Harriet Brouneau. The gift of Cyril and Nora Johnston. | |
| 4th | 6-2-25 in D# | In memory of Arthur Anderson Johnston - given by his wife and son. | |
| 5th | 7-1-10 in C# | To ring in the Kingdom of God. In memory of The Ministry in this
Parish (1904-1909) of Leonard Hedley Burrows, Bishop of Sheffield. The gift of Percy and Margaret Squire, 1936. |
|
| 6th | 7-2-13 in B# | Recast as a gift from Arthur H. Harding. So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. | |
| Flat 6th | 8-0-10 in B | The gift of Cyril F. Johnston as a thankoffering to commemorate the Allied victory in 1945. Gillett & Johnston 1946 | |
| 7th | 9-1-5 in A# | Recast 1936 - A gift from J.C.Kinnear (Priest) in memory of George and Angus Kinnear. | |
| 8th | 12-1-3 in G# | The new frame and fittings for the old eight bells and the recasting of No.8 were given by Lady Edridge. | |
| 9th | 15-3-13 in F# | This bell was recast as a gift in memory of Emily Jessie Edridge by her son Dick. | |
| 10th | 19-0-2 in E# | Vivos Convoco. Mortuos Plango. In Piam Memoriam.
d.d. Alumni Amicique Scholorum Johannis Whitgift. Anno MCMXXXVI. (Translation: I call the living. I toll for the dead. In pious memory. The gift of old boys and friends of the John Whitgift schools) |
|
| 11th | 26-3-13 in D# | May God bless all whom we do call. Given by Annie Williams. In memory of her family the Blakes who have lived in this parish since the year 1500. | |
| Tenor | 36-3-18 in C# | This bell was recast as a gift in memory of Sydney George Edridge by his son Dick. |
The 12 bells also have inscribed on them "Gillett & Johnston 1936". The weights above are quoted in the old Imperial system, showing hundredweights (cwts) - quarters (qtrs) - pounds (lbs).
The main entrance to the church is via the West door, which faces a small forecourt and the A236. The West door is normally kept locked on practice nights, but there is a door-bell located at the top left of the door-arch which you can use to request access.
Croydon is well served by public transport with buses at West Croydon Bus Station and two railway stations (East Croydon and West Croydon). Walking to St John's from these stations takes about 15 mins.
By car, the easiest route to St John's is via the A236 Roman Way (dual carriageway). Leave the A236 at Reeves Corner, where the church is easy visible. Limited parking is available on the forecourt or in Church Street. Be warned, parking restrictions are usually rigidly enforced!