part of the Anglican communion

A Church of England in the diocese of Manchester.

St Nicholas Church

with St John and St Michael

 

Founded 1511—listed 2*

The font was constructed from the Reading Desk of 1853 by Messrs Earp and Hobbs, Carvers of  Lower Mosely Street, Manchester in June 1898.  The pedestal was shortened and a carved oak cover was provided by Langshaws and Sons of Whalley in 1899.

The bronze and copper Rood  was added from St John’s, Cloughfold in 1973 when St John the Divine Church closed and the congregation joined with that of St Nicholas to form the parish of St Nicholas with St John.  The rood was given in 1916 by Miss R Woodcock in memory of Lieut. P.J.Ram, killed in Mametz in 1916.

The bells were recast in 1874 by Mears and Stainbank Ltd, Whitechapel, London, rehung and increased from six to a peal of eight.  The original six bells were hung in 1562. The board in the picture opposite, records the first peal rung in 1891 of Grandsire Triples in a time of 2hrs.55minutes.

 

The 14 Rules for Belfry, were erected in 1926. Rule 13 listed the charge for ringing at weddings and funerals as £6.00 whilst rule 8 stated that the Tower Keeper will receive monthly 1d. from each ringer and 1/2p from each probationer. 

 

In January 1922, the bells were rehung in a steel frame by Taylor’s of Loughborough.

Beginning with the treble (smallest) and highest in note ) the bells are----

 

BELL.                      Cwts.                        Qts.                           Lbs.                           Key.

Treble                          4                               2                                4                                F

    II                              4                               3                                2                                E

   III                             5                               1                                24                              D

   IV                             6                               0                                25                              C

     V                             7                               0                              14                                B

    VI                            8                               1                              16                                A

   VII                           10                              0                              11                                G

  Tenor                       14                              2                              19                                F

Bell Ringing Team of 1926

Bell 8 has the waist inscription:         REVd J.B.PHILLIPS.  M.A.  RECTOR

                                                                    LAWRENCE WHITTAKER

                                                                    GEORGE PILLING

                                                                    EDWARD ROSTRON

                                                                    JOHN KENYON

RETURN TO HOME

Notable peals recorded in the tower are:

 

The muffled peal on Feb 2nd 1901,of Grandsire Triples consisting of 5,040 changes in 2hrs 42 minutes, upon the death of Queen Victoria.

 

Another peal of Grandsire Triples on Nov 12th 1918, in 2hrs 41 minutes upon the close of the first world war 1914-1918.

 

Visiting bands apply every year to ring the bells and permission is readily granted.

Bell Ringing 2007

On August 10th, St Mary Abbots Guild from Kensington –London, expertly rang a very clear and controlled full peal of Superlative Surprise Major—5120 changes in a time of 2h 58m.  The ring composed by A J Cox was rung by the following band:

 

1. Janet E Archibald                      5. Nicholas W H Simon [C]

2. Simon J Davies                          6. Edward G Mould

3. Anne M Brechin                        7. James W Belshaw

4. Peter I Harrison                         8 Simon R Holden

 

 

 

2008

St Nicholas Church has its very own band of expert ringers, ringing on a regular basis.  The bell ringers can be hired for Weddings when they will ring prior and during the entry of the guests and the Bride and for approximately half an hour after the wedding ceremony.  A price guide for the full team of eight ringers would be £120—£160