Church Of St Helen

GREAT ST HELEN'S EC3 1. 5002 Church of St Helen

I

2. C13 with C14 addition and C15 remodelling. 2 aisles (Northern one formerly used by priory) separated by C15 arcade with 2 earlier arches between chancel and former nuns' choir. No chancel arch. South transept and C14 chapel to east of it. Walls of rubble partly rendered and much repaired especially to north and east. Some ashlar facing and some brick. Battlements with low gables to east and west. Windows largely C15 but blocked lancets in north wall and west wall of transept. Lead covered roofs except to south-east arm which has C19 hipped, slated roof with timber- 'gothic' tracery to large dormers. C15 and C14 west doorways latter with decorated mid C17 doors. Elaborate round arched and pedimented south doorway dated 1633. Old rain water heads. Roof timbers (tie beam construction) partly original except to south-east arm. Modest, timber west tower, brought down inside church, with rusticated clock stage, arched belfry and open lantern with shaped, lead covered roof and weather vane. Interior remarkable for fittings, especially monuments, some from demolished Church of St Martin, Outwich. 2 mid C17 internal porches. Early C17 pulpit with tester and C16 stairs. C15 choir stalls, Late C17 sword rest of carved wood and another of wrought iron. Mid C17 font and cover. C17 heraldic glass in window on north side. Early/mid C18 organ case. C19 pavement of marble and tiles in chancel. Monuments include a number of brasses and the following:- Sir John Oteswich and wife, late Cl4, Sir John Crosby and wife, 1476. Sir William Pickering, died 1574. Sir Thomas Gresham, died 1579. Sir John Spenser, died 1609. Plus many more.

Listing NGR: TQ3320481285