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| Practice night is Friday between 1930 and 2100. (All visitors and learners warmly welcomed) Service ringing is Sunday between 1000 and 1030. |
| More information is available on the bell restoration pages of this site |
| St Mary's Church Ely
The Parish Church of St. Mary's was built on the site of an earlier church during the time of Bishop Eustachius (1198- 1215). Until 1937, Ely was served by two Parish Churches, the other being Holy Trinity, now the Cathedral Lady Chapel. Since then, St. Mary's has been the Parish Church for the whole of Ely. During the restoration of 1876, the galleries, the pulpit, the Altar, and all the old pews throughout the church were thrown out, and it was refurnished with new furniture. In 1977 a Nave Altar platform was installed involving the removal of the two front pews and of the low stone wall at the Chancel entrance and the resiting of the pulpit to where you now see it. St Mary's Church, Ely, is near to the centre of the city. It is next to Cromwell's House and not very far from the Cathedral. The Church has a fine Ring of Eight bells, with a tenor of 17 1/4 Cwt. The Bells are rung by a regular Sunday Service Band, who will warmly welcome any visitors to join them. Visiting bands of "ringers" are also welcome by prior arrangement with the tower secretary The Bells of ST Mary's Church, Ely The bells in this Church are hung in a fourteenth century tower, which rises in three stages and has an octagonal spire. The parapets are plain, and each of the four corners are crowned with a pinnacle. The bell chamber windows in the third stage consist of two lights, with trefoil above. The newel stair in the southeast corner of the tower gives access to the ringing, clock and bell chambers. Originally, there were only six bells hung in St. Mary's. In 1781 five of them were recast by Edward Arnold of St. Neots. Two new bells were added at the same time making eight. The seventh bell, which was recast, is dated 1670. The third, the one that was not recast, is dated 1767. In 1876, a major interior restoration of the Church took place. The tower, spire, roof and walls were all repaired. Also, the eight bells were rehung. This work was carried out by G. Day and Son from Suffolk. The bells began service again on 29th May 1882. A small bell, known as the Horse Bell also hangs in the tower. It is said to have been used in Victorian times to summon the Horse-keepers of the lords & ladies to the Church, to collect them after the service. John Taylor and Co. from Loughborough rehung the bells on ball bearings in 1938. They also brought in new wheels and pulley blocks. Only Day's headstocks of 1876 remained. Although no recasting was needed, the bells were retuned. The rededication of the bells took place on Saturday 3rd June. 1939. Ely Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers This association, which brings together ringers from all over the Diocese, is made up of four districts, Ely, Cambridge, Wisbech and Huntingdon. The Bishop of Ely is the Patron of the association, with each district having its own president, secretary and committees The districts organize meetings; practice evenings, competitions and outings, and all come together for the annual General Meeting held in May each year. At St. Mary's, Ely, the Association is allowed to attempt two peals a year on the bells, so as not to disturb those living near to the Church too much. All of the ringers at Ely are members of this Association. |
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