The
hamlet of Whitchurch (sometimes Little Stanmore), near Edgeware, was
celebrated for the magnificent mansion built here by James, first Duke
of Chandos. The local church was the centre of a dispute between the
duke and the parishioners. The duke funded the majority of the rebuilding.
He also intended to build a new tower, but the parishioners, in the
expectation he would also pay for a new set of bells to go in it, sold
off the old bells. The duke took offence at their presumption, and consequently
the new tower was not built.
