Richard Phelps (bellfounder)

The foundry, in operation since at least 1570, was listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest manufacturing company in Great Britain.

[1]: 240 [5] Phelps remained as the head of the foundry for thirty-seven years, during which time the business grew to be the most successful in the kingdom.

For example, the following inscription used to appear on the tenth bell of St Michael-upon-Cornhill until it was recast in 2011: TO PRAYERS WE DO CALL ST MICHAEL’S PEOPLE ALL WE HONOUR TO THE KIND AND JOY TO BRIDES DO SING / TRIUMPHS WE LOUDLY TELL AND RING THE DEAD MANS KNELL[6]The Whitechapel foundry was very prosperous under the ownership of Richard Phelps.

Lukis cites the inscription on the tenor bell at Avebury, Wilts, Richard Phelps, London, Nat.

[8] The bell remained in a shed in the yard of St Paul's Cathedral until 1708 when it was recast by Philip Wightman at a weight of approximately 73 long hundredweight (8,200 lb; 3,700 kg) and hung in the south west tower.

Still in use today, the first weighs 13 long hundredweight (1,500 lb; 660 kg), is 41 inches (1,000 mm) in diameter and is tuned to A flat; the second weighs 35 long hundredweight (3,900 lb; 1,800 kg) and is 58 inches (1,500 mm) in diameter and is tuned to E flat.

[12]On 5 September 1726, Richard Phelps and church wardens James Smith and Charles Ball of St Dionis Backchurch reached an agreement for a set of eight new bells and frames.

[13][14] The bells at St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge were formed a ring of ten with a tenor of 21 long hundredweight (2,400 lb; 1,100 kg).

Succeeding a ring of five, the back eight were cast in 1714 by Richard Phelps, ten years after the spire was built, and the trebles very soon after.