Parish Church of St Helen

The Parish Church of St Helen is a medieval church, possibly dating from the 13th century, which was largely rebuilt in 1851 by the architect John Prichard from Cardiff. The church retains evidence of modifications made in the sub-medieval period.

The exterior is designed in the Gothic style and is constructed from local rubble with a slate roof. It features an aisless nave, a chancel that is stepped down and narrower, a south porch, and a north vestry. The most distinctive element is the large square bellcote at the west end, which extends over the eaves and has a crenellated parapet with crocketed finials, along with a spire adorned with a fleuron ornament and a crucifix finial. The belfry below contains two-light belfry openings. The church also has freestone gable parapets and eaves cornices, with Perpendicular style two and three-light windows that include labels and cusping. A single-light window on the south side at the east end of the nave may have illuminated the rood. The porch features a moulded pointed arch entrance and a ribbed wagon ceiling with moulded cornices, as well as a cusped medieval window on the east side and a four-centred inner door with deep broach stops. The vestry doorway on the north side also has similar stops. The east window has three lights, while the west window is a two-light casement with moulding.

Inside, the aisless nave has a 16th or 17th-century wagon ceiling with a concave moulded oak cornice and roll-moulded ribs, while the chancel roof is of Victorian design. The medieval chancel arch features a dying inner order. The furnishings from the Victorian period include choir stalls, a Gothic pulpit, and a font, although the medieval font bowl is kept separately. Notable monuments in the chancel include one dated 1604 with an ornate Jacobean border and lettering, and another dated 1788 dedicated to Giles Meredith and Cecily, who lived at Glan Usk.

The church is listed for its special interest due to the mid-19th century restoration, which is an early work by John Prichard, as well as the surviving earlier architectural details.