Building record 10641/1 - Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary - Bell Tower

In 1973 a free standing bell tower designed by Pave was built to the south-east of the cathedral; it comprised a concrete frame clothed in slate tiles rising from a base of red sandstone (1). Until 1963, the bells had been housed in the central tower, and were in need of an overhaul. Due to structural difficulties and the cost of replacing the bells in the central tower it was advised that consideration should be given to building a detached bell and clock tower in the south-east corner of the churchyard. It represents the first detached bell tower to be built for a cathedral in England since the Reformation (2). Please see the linked listed building record for structural detail.

<1> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 466641 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

<2> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.