St. Helen's Church

No church was mentioned in the 'Domesday Survey' of 1086 but features such as the combination of large quoins with 'herring bone' style masonry in the walls point to a pre-Conquest origin for the foundation.  Another indication of early origin is the dedication to Helen/Ellen, Celtic goddess of armies and roads, who was worshipped by the Roman army.

The early church consisted of nave, chancel and possibly an earlier tower; the present tower is of 12th Century design, in three stages; the embattlements with gargoyles and pinnacles are 15th Century. The East end of the chancel was extended early 15thC. and the East window dates to this period. The oak Rood screen is late mediaeval, donated to the church by William Adam; he is buried a few feet away from it.

Much restoration was done during the late 19thC. The Chancel arch was restored, the Jacobean pulpit and reading desk were removed and carved oak ones put in their place. Rooves of both Nave and Chancel were replaced, the pitches being raised and the Chancel roof being changed from flat to oak barrel. The East window was raised so that it was above the new alabaster reredos.

Further restoration was done in the 1930's; the pre-reformation stone altar slab was found buried and restored to it's proper place.  A stone pulpit replaced the wooden one and panels from this were used in the present choir gallery.