Diameter: 18" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Winders 1876
Dove Bell ID: 55211 Tower ID: 20799 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Helsington: St John
Overview
Grid reference: SD 488 889
Shielded by trees bent and sculpted by wind, the elevated site high above the Lyth valley explains much: there can be few settings for worship as spectacular as this perhaps historically a site of open-air worship, then this simple chapel with bellcote, a stone tabernacle. The original work of 1726 has been obscured by restorations of 1898 and 1910, its weather-beaten render hiding clues to its past as well as struggling to keep out the relentless damp and mapping every crack of shift and settlement. The more recent kitchen extension still appears raw. Alongside, a former school, perhaps part of the original endowment. Inside, sheltered, the focus of this simple vessel is the east end and the legacy of the early C20: a crafted pulpit of inlaid chevron ebony and 4-square doweling (1908), communion rail, the unusual tooled leather floral panelled altar (c.1912), and the canvas mural on the east wall (1920), of watercolour subtleness and believed to personify local people immortalised as an angelic host in a heavenly landscape.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 188 m²
Interior
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 488 889
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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