Church Of St Helen

SEFTON BRIDGES LANE SD 30 SE (north side) 7/127 Church of St. Helen 11.10.68 G.V. I Church. West tower and east bay of north chapel early C14. West bay of north chapel C15. Single vessel nave and chancel, north and south aisles, south porch and east vestry c.1535-40. West tower has diagonal buttresses, cornice and parapet with gargoyles. 2-light west window has reticulated tracery, similar louvred bell openings. Recessed spire has round lucarnes, pinnacles are beehive shaped probably C17 or later. North aisle has coped parapet; windows of 3 lights with uncusped Perpendicular tracery. North chapel has square-headed 3-light windows with reticulated tracery; western window has cusped Perpendicular tracery. South aisle and chapel have embattled parapet, windows as North aisle but of 4 lights with transom. Clerestory has embattled parapet and round-headed windows with intersecting tracery. Chancel has 4-light, 2-transom north and south windows; east window has tracery of c.1870, 5 lights and one transom; parapet and pinnacles. East vestry has north extension of 1915. South porch of 2 storeys; 4-centred entrance arch, 4-light mullioned window above; embattled parapet and pinnacles, central statue. Interior: triple chamfered tower arch. 4-bay nave arcade has early C17 texts painted on spandrels; 2-bay arcade to chancel. Roofs have moulded beams and bosses. Rood screens and chapel screens have rich decoration combining Gothic and Renaissance motifs, coving to both sides. Similar parclose screens and Blundell and Sefton pews. Choir stall and bench ends have rich carving. Pulpit dated 1635, has back board and tester, rich arabesque carving, later stair rail. C15 font with cover dated 1688, 3 brass chandeliers, 1773. Chancel panelling with Ionic pilastrade, c.1730. Sedillia and piscina, ogee-headed cupboard. North chapel has double piscina, some early C16 stained glass fragments to south windows. Several monuments and 2 memorial brasses dating from late C13. Reference: Victoria County History for Lancashire, Vol. III.

Listing NGR: SD3568401296