BELL TOWER STAINED GLASS WINDOW CHAPEL EN LE FRITH

Aim

Replace an old window with a new stained glass one in an active Bell Tower to commemorate the 800th anniversary of St Thomas Becket Church.

THE VISION: The Parish Church in Chapel en le Frith was dedicated to St Thomas Becket in 1225.  The celebrations for the 800th anniversary took place last summer and the community did the town and the church proud. A serious vision to replace the decades old window of the bell tower, with a stained glass window, has been on my wish list for many years. This anniversary has given focus to the vision. 

THE TEAM: we have the Vicar, Rev Mel Hartley, the PCC, the Faculty team from Derby Diocese, a good long standing friend of mine, John, who like me was born in Chapel en le Frith and is a member of the PCC with concern for the fabric of the church and church yard, a retired vicar Rev. Tom who has done all the administration for the faculty and the current congregation, to thank enormously for their help, agreement and on going support. We have a great team of ringers, as many as 14 to chose from and ring with, all abilities, all ages, very accomplished and learners, all looking forward and excited about the new addition to our ringing room. Visiting ringers attend often during the year and from all over the country and beyond.  LAST BUT NOT LEAST are Steve and Rob from Classic Glass Studio. This gifted pair can visualise your ideas and create it in stained glass.  They can tweak it here and amend it there and produce the drawings from which they work, even working so high up on the outside of the tower.

THE REASON: The wooden window frame and some of the stonework, after inspection, was found to be in need of repair so the time is right to bring the vision to reality. The six bells in the tower are rung regularly Sunday morning for worship and practice Tuesday nights. The fabric repairs will be covered by the church but the stained glass is the reason for this crowdfunding page.

THE REQUEST: I am hoping to reach past ringers and congregation members as well as present day folk who have a soft spot in their hearts for the bells, the church, the town and the people of Chapel en le Frith, and will help us raise the £5000 needed by donations. This new colourful window will be a beautiful asset to the look of the tower, a welcoming, lighter and colourful addition for the ringers attending to their bells, ringing all year round.

Here's a couple of images of some of the glass cut to size laid out on the paper plan. So far so good. I think it's lovely. Hope you do.

ABOUT MYSELF: I am Fran Cohen, I was baptised and confirmed at this church, I have been a warden at this church.  My ringing life started around the age of 11 when the Girl Guides visited. Myself and five other friends took up the call and learnt to ring. I stayed, but slowly the others drifted away to other hobbies. My ringing life was interrupted by family matters and when I later answered the Church's call for past ringers, I renewed my love of bell ringing. That was 14 years ago and I still enjoy the sound of the bells, to me it is soothing and powerful, there is not a lot wrong with the world when the bells are ringing.  The tower steps are a challenge and they never change, so learning to conquer the 30 steps to the ringing room gives a feeling of satisfaction, to open the ringing room door and see a beautiful, colourful window with the sun shining through and the colours dancing round the room will be amazing. My dream and my vision will have come true, thanks to all the team behind me and I hope and pray, to all you wonderful people out there reading this sincere request for donations. Please help, if you have memories of ringing here or if you love my story and the vision. I will never forget your kindness and all donations, if named, will be recorded in a way that visitors and community alike will be aware of how you helped make this beautiful window "come alive" THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th September 2026 at 11:14pm