The clock is dated 1814 and was made by John Thwaites & Co, Clerkenwell. It is also inscribed “This clock was thoroughly repaired and restored by Gillett and Johnson, Croydon, 1907”.
In the Parish records of 1674 the following statement appears:
“7th day of December 1674 – It was then agreed upon and bargained by and between Mr Andrew Prime Clock maker of Cree church Parish, London, and John Hellam of the Parish of Hornchurch, Church Warden of the same Parish, that the said Mr Andrew Prime shall set up a new sufficient Clocke in the Church of the same parish, with a large Dyall in the place of the old one now there standing, by the the 25 Day of March next ensuing”
The clock face was originally diamond in shape. and when the present clock was installed in 1814 it remained but “J.B.+ 1814” was painted onto it. In about 1850 it was removed and replaced by the present face. This is the inscription on the Sanctus or clock bell, hanging outside the west side of the tower:
Donum Thomas Brandon
Ecclesiae Cornutae in Com:Essex
Maii XXIX, MDCLXXIIII
This translates as The gift of Thomas Brandon to the Horned Church in the County of Essex May 29th 1674. The diameter of this bell is 18.5 inches and weighs 1.25cwt.