The Tom Tower houses the 7 ton 'Great Tom' bell, taken from the 12th century ruined Osney Abbey via St Frideswide's Church and then recast several times before it was of sufficient weight and would ring as desired. Christchurch also benefited from further transfers of property from St Osney Abbey all the way through the to reign of King Charles the First.
The original structure of the building was developed by Cardinal Wosley as part of Christ Church, originally called Cardinal College, but his fall from power left it roofless for 150 years before Wren was brought on board to complete it.
Although Wren is well known for his neo-classical architecture, in this case he aimed for something more "Gothik" as it would be give the building a look similar to how it had originally been intended. Despite some of the detailing, the dome-like roof gives away its origins as a work of Wren.
The bell tolls 101 times every night at 9:05 (9pm Oxford local time), originally to sound curfew for college members.
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