The current eight bells at Frittenden were cast in 1928 by Gillett & Johnston at their Croydon bell foundry. The tenor bell weights 15-1-4 cwt (777 kg) in the note of F#
St Mary's, Frittenden
St Mary's, Frittenden
Bells being delivered having been recast
by Gillett & Johnston
History
The Normans built a church in Frittenden in the 12th century, replacing an existing Saxon building. In the centuries that followed, they extended and added to it, culminating in the 15th century tower.
Edward Hasted, in ‘The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent’ described the 1790's church as consisting of ‘two isles and two chancels, having a spire steeple, in which are six bells’.
In 1804, Thomas Mears cast a new ring of six bells.
Charles and George Mears added a new treble and a tenor in 1847 to completed the octave.
In 1848, the Reverend Edward Moore provided the funds for the architect R C Hussey to rebuild the church around the tower. Most of the church, except for the nave and the lower two stages of the 15th century western tower, was demolished and rebuilt with a new chancel and south chapel, a wider south aisle to the nave and new north and south porches (the north now being the vestry). A new upper tower houses the belfry and is finished by a recessed stone spire. This is the building that can be seen today.
In 1928 Gillett and Johnston recast the bells into a new ring of eight and hung them in a new, two tier, teak frame.
On 21 February 1929 the Bishop of Dover, dedicated the new bells.