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4 unusual facts about Tom Tower


Great Tom

Great Tom is the hour bell in Tom Tower, at Christ Church, Oxford.

Tom Tower

Originally called "Mary", Great Tom used to hang in Osney Abbey, until in 1545 it was moved to St Frideswide's church, after which at some point it was renamed "Tom".

It has been pointed out by many Pembroke College students that the best view of Tom Tower is from their porters' lodge, off St Aldates.

The tower of Dunster House at Harvard University is a direct imitation of Tom Tower, though its details have been Georgianised, and stones from Christ Church are installed in one of the house's main entryways.


Whitechapel Bell Foundry

The foundry produced "Great Tom" at Lincoln Cathedral, which can be heard from a distance of 13 miles, the "Clock Bells" at St Paul's Cathedral, the bells of Westminster Abbey and the 13 bells located at Liverpool's Anglican cathedral which are notable for being the heaviest change-ringing peal of bells in the world.


see also

Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising

Kathy Boyd and Phoenix Rising is a group out of Tualatin, Oregon, led by bassist and singer Kathy Boyd, and also featuring Tim Crosby, Tom Tower, and Dennis Nelson.