1. On bells 2, 3 & 5 the ‘N’ in ‘CHANDLER’ is reversed.
2. Origins: By 1552 there were 3 bells. By 1714 there were 5 bells. In 1929 4 of the existing bells were rehung in a new steel frame, the old treble (4-0-13) recast and an additional new treble added to complete the present ring of 6 bells. The Chandler family cast bells at their blacksmith’s shop from 1636 till 1726. Edward Hall took over in 1726 and died in 1755. The foundry was located behind ‘The three Horse Shoes’ in Drayton Parslow.

A church is first mentioned at Aston Abbotts in 1291 when £3 from the tithes was given to the kitchener of St. Alban’s Abbey. The parish records begin in 1550.

The church underwent extensive rebuilding and renovation during the 1^st half of the C 19^th. In 1818 the church roof was renewed and a plaque commemorating this work was erected close to the Royal coat of Arms on the wall above the Chancel arch. In 1864 plans were drawn up to refit the interior of the church but also to undertake essential work on the church walls including new foundations for both the Nave and Chancel walls which necessitated replacing the roof. The chosen architect was the famous G.E. Street.

The Church was rededicated by Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, on Whit Tuesday, May 1866.

The rebuilding gave the opportunity for Aston Abbotts’ most distinguished resident, Rear Admiral Sir James Ross, (b 15 April 1800 d 3 April 1862) to be commemorated in the stained glass window above the altar. Sir James was England’s outstanding explorer of the time who discovered the North magnetic pole in 1831 and also led the expedition which discovered the Great Ice Barrier in the Antarctic in 1842. He paved the way for Amundsen and Scott. In fact, Amundsen regarded him as the foremost explorer of his time. He married in 1843, bought the Abbey House and lived there till his death in 1862.

©KMC 23 Apr 2005

His tomb is in the churchyard. It is inscribed: IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF REAR ADMIRAL JAMES CLARK ROSS KT FRS ARCTIC & ANTARCTIC & DISCOVERER OF THE MAGNETIC NORTH POLE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT ASTON ABBOTTS HOUSE APRIL 3, 1862 AGED 62 YEARS DEEPLY LAMENTED & REGRETTED

Also of interest are:

Oak treasury chest of 1695, with three locks:- one for the vicar and one each for the church wardens.

Chair by the altar presented to the church with an engraved date of 1707.

Font with octagonal bowl probably made in the 1500s.

The oak-panelled Nave screen erected in 1909 in memory of Ann Congreve Martyn, the vicar’s wife.

The church tower is in the perpendicular style, built in the early C 16^th and its roof is covered in lead. It contains a chiming clock made by Gillett and Co in 1889 and six bells.

The colourful cushions and kneelers for the deal pews were made by members of the church and village over a four year period starting in 1990.

The above items were extracted from the visitors’ guide to the church — anonymous.