Bell Tower - St John the Baptist - Tisbury, Wiltshire - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

Bell tower of St John the Baptist church, with a ring of 6 bells.

Tisbury, Wilts S John Bapt
Bells
Bell	Weight	Nominal	Note	Diameter	Dated	Founder	Canons	Turning
1	6-1-18	1000.0	B	32.75"	1700†	William Cor	R
2	7-0-18	900.0	A	34.50"	1700†	William Cor	Y
3	7-1-3	800.0	G	36.25"	1720	William Cockey	Y
4	9-2-19	749.8	F#	39.00"	1989	Whitechapel Bell Foundry Ltd	F	N
5	11-0-2	676.0	E	42.50"	1700†	Robert I Cor	Y
6	16-0-9	600.0	D	46.75"	1700†	William and Robert Cor	Y

Frames
Frame	Bells	Year	Material	Maker	Truss	Layout
1		1927	Cast iron	Gillett & Johnston
2		1927	Cast iron	Gillett & Johnston

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

"It is almost certain that there was a Saxon church in Tisbury, as there was an abbey here from the 7th century, until its destruction by the Danes in the 9th century. After this it is again feasible that a Saxon church was built to serve the community and, given the continuity of religious sites, it is probable that it was on the site of the present church. The cruciform Norman church was built between 1180 and 1200 and of this 4 massive piers, the arches of the tower and parts of the transepts remain. The chancel was rebuilt in the late 13th/early 14th century and the font is also 13th century, although it has been recarved and has a 17th century cover. Chantries were founded and the chantry priests lived in a small room above the north porch of the church.

In 1450 the present nave was built with a clerestory and a fine wagon roof. After the Reformation the Arundells, who remained Roman Catholics, lost the patronage of the church. However many families in the area also remained true to the old faith under the protection of the Arundell family and so it is likely that the congregation at St. John's was somewhat reduced. In the 1660s the Jacobean pews and pulpit were built in the church. The church spire was struck by lightning in 1742, and again on 6th January 1762, in freak thunderstorms. On the second occassion the spire fell and destroyed the roof of the north transept and part of the roof of the north aisle. In the rebuilding of the church a second storey was added to the tower in place of the spire, thus reducing the height.

In 1858 the Rev. F.E. Huchinson became vicar and he,and his wife, greatly improved conditions for the villagers, improved the church, built schools and school houses and a new vicarage. It should be said that in return they expected respect and a strict observance of rules. In the church the musicians' gallery was removed and the roof of the Beggar's Porch, the west porch, was lowered. Architectually the latter was a great crime in a porch where there were ancient stone seats on which the poor sat after a service to receive charity.

In the 20th century a range of alterations and improvements were carried out. In 1900 work was carried out on the choir, vestry and sacristy, while in 1927 there was a major rebuilding of the tower, the bells were overhauled and rehung and a new 3 dial clock was installed. The church was rewired in 1972 and a new lighting system installed. A team benefice was created in 1976 with Swallowcliffe, Ansty and Chilmark. In the churchyard there is a yew tree over 1,000 years old and a 13th century cross on an 18th century stem. The parents of Rudyard Kipling are buried here. The parish registers from 1563, other than those in current use, are held in the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham."

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

Address of Tower: St John the Baptist Church Street Tisbury, Wiltshire England SP3 6AZ Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 6 Relevant website?: [Web Link] Rate tower: Not listed Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Not listed

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