There has been a ring of bells in the tower at Spitalfields since 1730 when a very heavy ring of eight (tenor 44 cwt) was cast. The first recorded peal on these bells was rung on 23 February 1735 by a group called "The Eastern Scholars".

This ring was increased to ten in 1787 (hence the name of the public house on the opposite side of the road to the church). The first peal on the ten was rung on 25 June 1787 by the Cumberland Youths. A further two bells were added in 1801. The first peal on the twelve was rung on 5 March 1804 by the Cumberland Youths.

The last peal recorded on these bells was on 16 February 1829 by the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths (http://www.srcy.org.uk/). In 1836 these bells were destroyed by fire. A new ring of eight bells were cast in 1836 / 1837, the second of the new ring being cast at the end of 1836, the other seven cast in 1837. The tenor of this new ring weighed very nearly 33 ¾ cwt. The first peal on these bells was rung on 29 December 1845 and is recorded by a peal board still present in the tower. These bells fell into disuse between the two world wars; the last peal was recorded on 12 March 1921.

The present eight was installed in the tower in 1971/1972, the bells being transferred from Clapham Park. The first peal on the bells at Spitalfields was rung on 23 September 1972.

The Society of Royal Cumberland Youths is rightly proud of the bells at Christ Church and between January and late April 2005, a group of volunteers carried out work to the bell frame and other fittings (clappers, pulleys etc). “This means that they are now in very good condition, the painting job was tough but we did it properly and I doubt it will need to be done again for very many years.” Alan Regin, Steeplekeeper.

Record peal of London Surprise Major: On 23 April 2005 a magnificent record peal (subject to ratification by the records committee) of 17,280 London Surprise Major was rung at Christ Church for the St James' Guild. Before the event which took 11 hours 35 minutes, The Steeplekeeper Alan Regin, dedicated the peel to the late Eric C Elstob, former chairman of the Friends.

Record peal of London Surprise Major