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| Olney Bells |
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| The Parish Church of Olney, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, stands on the banks of the River Great Ouse and, with its fine spire, dominates the southern approach to the town. |
It is thought that Olney Church was originally situated at the north end of the town, near the present 'Castle' public house, and there is some suggestion that this church was founded in 1018. It is likely to have been on a modest scale. The greater part of the present church was built in the fourteenth century between c.1330 and 1400, in the 'Decorated Gothic' style then in use. |
The finest feature of the church is the spire, which is unusual for Buckinghamshire. Set on a tall tower, it reaches a height of 185 feet [56.5 m.], and was built to the principle of 'entasis', that is, the sides are slightly convex. If the sides were completely straight they would look slightly concave when viewed from a distance. |
It is a broach spire, although the broaches are rather small, and it has four sets of lucarnes. The top of the spire was restored in 1884, which is why it is a different colour. At the top is a weather cock inscribed "I never crow but stand to show whence winds do blow. 1829". The tower originally housed a peal of six bells, the oldest of which is dated 1599. A brass plate in the south aisle records that two new bells were added in 1903 and the existing six bells were rehung. The clock was installed in honour of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and the Westminster chimes were added in 1903. |
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“Tall spire, from which the sound of cheerful bells.
Just undulates upon the listening ear”
William Cowper |
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