The Bells of Church Stowe, Northamptonshire

The church of St Michael's in Church Stowe has origins dating back to the Saxon times, although the site it sits on was the location of an earlier church dating from the Neolithic times. The original church was dedicated to St Ninian, before being changed to St Peter & St Paul, which eventually became St Michael's in 1560. The tower is the oldest part of the church, with the nave being rebuilt in 1639 and again in 1859. An interior Norman arch divides the church and tower. The tower holds a ring of five bells. Originally a ring of four, they were remoddled and augmented to five by John Taylor & Co in 2021. The original ring of four were hung by Webb and Bennett in 1925. The five bells were cast by five different founders. The treble was cast in 1891 by John Warner & Sons. The second in 1725 by Thomas Russell. The third was cast in 2020 by John Taylor & Co to coincide with the rehanging and augmentation. The fourth was cast in 1607 by Newcombe, and the tenor was cast in 1390 by William Rufford and is subject to a preservation order. There is also a service bell that is hung from the steel supporting beams for the old four bell frame. It was cast in 1590 by Newcombe & Watts. 5 bells, 13-3-12cwt in G.