The Tower
The tower was built as part of the original church in the early 1300's. The nave of the church was rebuilt in the period 1806-1810, however, apart from some strengthening work, the tower and chancel are more or less original. Popular tradition ascribes the founding of the parish church to John de Rutherwyk, abbot of Chertsey 1306-1347, and it seems consistent with this that the earliest vicar whose name has been preserved was one Richard le Gayte, who became vicar on 14th March 1310; there is, however, documentary evidence that the “chapel of Chertsey” was in existence before 1290, the document being a permit of that date allowing Chertsey Abbey to retain that benefice.
The tower at present contains eight bells, the tenor weighing 20cwt 0qr 14lb. (In Imperial units 1 ton = 20 hundredweight (cwt) = 80 quarters (qr) = 2240 pounds (lb). A metric tonne is about 2200 pounds.)