East Molesey, St Mary the Virgin

Address: Bell Road, East Molesey.

Map Ref: TQ146679

8 Bells • Tenor 10½ cwt.

Sunday Service Ringing: 9.00 - 9.30 am

Practice: Tuesday 8.00 - 9.15 pm

Entry is through the North Door of the church to ground floor ringing chamber.

Tower Captain: John Williamson

History

Molesey is supposed to mean “Mul’s Island”; it has always been partly surrounded by the waters of the Thames and Mole rivers, but is now even more so since a group of reservoirs appeared between Molesley and Walton-on-Thames. A word of warning to ringing visitors: do not just arrive in the village and expect to see the church. St. Mary’s is quite inconspicuous, off the Walton Road (B369), as there are several other churches in the parish with equally large towers. Although now over a century old St. Mary’s occupies a very ancient site of worship. How the current church came to be built is a lively story. The “repair or rebuild” question first raised its head in 1842. A property developer, Mr. Kent, offered a site for a new church in 1852 and money towards the cost. The “New” and the “Old” Church factions quarrelled over the suggestion. The new church (St. Paul’s) was built anyway, but the Churchwardens refused to accept it as the Parish Church. In 1863, St. Mary’s, the old church, conveniently caught fire and, although the damage was not severe, the “rebuilders” finally won. In October 1865 the new church was consecrated and dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. It had to wait until 1889 for its bells: a ring of 8 installed by Mears and Stainbank incorporating 2 of the former 3 bells. There are a number of inscriptions on the bells. The bells are hung in a wooden frame with the two smallest on an upper level above the other six. The benefit of a major overhaul in 1975 covered all fittings, headstocks and bearings together with improved roping and new ropes resulting in a lovely ring.

Transport

By Road: The church is situated to the south of the B369, and accessed via the B3379 from the A309 at Hampton Court station. A Public car park is by the church, with one-way access via the Walton Road, next to the Fish and Chip shop. Exit is only by St. Mary’s Road.

By Bus: Route 411 Kingston - Hampton Court - East & West Molesey. Alight at Tesco’s in Walton Road; walk through Car Park by the Fish and Chip shop.

By Train: To Hampton Court station from Waterloo. - 10 minute walk.

Facilities

There are toilets in church hall opposite, when open, and in the public car park.

The local pub, The Bell Inn has a beer garden and serves bar snacks as well as meals. Hampton Court Palace is a major nearby attraction across the Bridge from the station and where additional Pubs and Restaurants abound.