Coulsdon, St John the Evangelist
Canon's Hill, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1HA Find on map
Number of bells: 5
Tenor Weight: 10¾ cwt
Ground floor ring: No
District: Southern
Practice Night: Tuesday
Ringing Times: Sunday Service: 9.00-9.30am , 6.00-6.30pm. Practice: 8.00-9.30pm
Entry: Entrance to the first floor ringing chamber is inside the base of the west tower. The two turn spiral stone steps are very worn and require great care to negotiate.
Contact: First Contact: Tim Roberts, The Rectory, 232 Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon, CR5 1EA (07544 584814; tim.j.roberts11@gmail.com). Second Contact: Patrick Wills, (07739 835918; patrickmwills@sky.com)
Website: www.facebook.com/coulsdonbells
A Saxon foundation largely replaced about 1260,with a major extension in 1958. A ‘sedilia’ (seats for the clergy) and a ‘piscina’ (washing bowl) built into the south wall of the old chancel are 13th century. The tower was built in the early 15th century, and the staircase is believed to be original. The bells were cast by John Hodson at Bishopsgate in London in 1675 and include impressions of Charles ll coins and their inscriptions. The bells were re-hung in 1991 retaining an oak frame of 1882, which had replaced that of 1675. The tower is an active member of the Surrey Association and retains a framed set of Rules dated 1924 displayed in the Ringing Chamber.