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Merstham, St Katharine

Address: 
London Road, Merstham, RH1 3BJ
Number of bells: 
8
Tenor Weight: 
13½ cwt
Practice night: 
Wednesday
Ringing Times: 

Sunday Service: 9:00 - 9:30 am
Practice: 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Ground floor ring: 
Yes
Tower Entry Details: 

Tower entrance is from the main church south door

Contact: 

Tower Captain: nigelgoodship [at] mac [dot] com (subject: Enquiry from Surrey Association web site) (Nigel Goodship)

Location: Map Ref: TQ290538

History

The parish is mentioned in documents as early as AD 675. The present church was built during the first half of the 13thcentury with various additions until the 19th century. However, the font is a block of Sussex marble and dates from approximately 1150. The church is mentioned in the Doomsday book and lies on the path of the Pilgrims Way.

In 1720 an unknown historian recorded that "The church is a handsome building and hath a merry peal of bells in a stone tower at the west end". The bells date back to 1483, the oldest bell - the current 5th, with more bells added over the years. In 1899 the existing five were augmented to 6. The old clappers from the 5 bells are mounted on a board of belfry oak inside the church on the north wall. In 1964 the 6 were augmented to 8 and the the bells were rehung on a lower frame and rung from the ground floor.

Transport

  • By Road: The church is located on the A23 about ½ mile north of Merstham village. Free parking is available in Church Hill road, just to the north of the church. There is a path from this road along the north side of the church and around the west side to the south door.
  • By Bus: It is also on many bus routes with bus stops very close by on both sides of the main road.
  • By Train: It is 5 minutes walk from Merstham station which is on the main London to Brighton line.

Facilities

Toilets are available in the Church Room near the church.

The Feathers is a large old coaching inn on the corner at the north end of Merstham village (5 - 10 minutes walk south from the church) that is open all day and serves food. Opposite is The Railway Arms, a small pub with very friendly staff and excellent food.

Merstham, St Katharine