The Tower and Bells of St Stephen-by-Saltash

The tower of St Stephen-by-Saltash church contains six bells.

In 1895 the tower was renovated, the battlements and pinnacles rebuilt and a central flagstaff erected. The tower is about 88ft high to the point of the pinnacles and the lower part is probably the oldest part of the building and is thought to date from the 13th century, the upper part being added in the 15th century.

By 1930 the south wall, though structurally sound was becoming pourous due to the south westerly wind. At about the same time it became necessary to re-cast some of the bells, and, as the ringing was held to cause vibration detrimental to the tower, a new bell frame was fixed at a lower level. The roof was reconstructed with sound openings so the sound would carry farther.

In 1934 work started on the tower. The south wall was refaced with Polyphant stone, the old oak bell frame was taken down and an iron and steel frame was installed at a lower level, three of the bells were re-cast, the sound ceilings were renewed and the roof was remodelled in teak wood taken from the last wooden ship in commission in the Navy - HMS Defiance which was anchored off Wearde. There is now room for two smaller bells to be added to the present six.

The total expense of the work on the bells and the tower exceeded £700. To have raised a sum of that magnitude was a great achievement. The bells of St Stephen-by-Saltash are now acknowledged to be one of the finest sets in the West Country.