The 18th and 19th Century - the ring enlarged
By the 18th century the town was growing in size and moves were already afoot to raise Chorley Church from a Chapelry dependant on Croston to an independent parish (which came about in 1793). It was probably felt that one solitary bell ( in a tower which had earlier held three) was insufficient in the light of the town's new importance and self-awareness. Three new bells were therefore added to the solitary 1646 bell. These are dated 1763 and have inscriptions:
I beare my part in consort's pleasing sound, but when alone I summon to the ground. The day is over cease from labour, I call to rest. Our voice do with cheerful sound make hills and valley echo round.
Each time the bells have been recast since, these inscriptions have been placed on the new bells.
The 19th century saw the ring of bells enlarged still further. One new bell was added in 1832 and another in 1860. The second of these was cast by George Mears & Co of Whitecapel Bell foundry, London. The weights and notes of the set of six were as follows:
Tenor 10 cwt (approx) G
V 7½ cwt A
IV 6 cwt B
III 5 cwt C
II 4½ cwt D
Treble 4 cwt 7 lbs E
As the accompanying photograph of the ringers in 1875 shows, the bells at this time were rung from ground level in the West porch.
These six bells were rehung in 1883, and the fittings in the tower renewed. It may be at this time that an original wooden frame was replaced by the present metal frame. A plaque in the ringing chamber commemorates this refit:
Ad majorem Dei gloriam (to the greater glory of God)
These six bells were by subscription rehung with entirely new fittings in the year of our Lord 1883, and reopened on the 15th day of November 1883, when a true peel of Plain Bob Minor, 720 changes were rung in 25¾ minutes by the following ringers:
1.John Hy Gartside, Conductor; 2. William Heaps; 3. John Marsden; 4. Alfred Whalley; 5. George Gartside; 6. Joshua Worthington.
Rector: Edward G. James
Wardens: Henry Rawcliffe and William Bamber
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