Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen's Church, Westcliff-on-Sea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Helen's Church
Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen's Church
The church in May 2024
51°32′17″N 0°41′59″E / 51.538097°N 0.699845°E / 51.538097; 0.699845
OS grid reference	TQ 87320 85592
Location	Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	[1]
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	1867
Founder(s)	Countess Helen Tasker
Consecrated	12 August 1919
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II listed
Designated	26 November 2014
Architect(s)	Thomas Goodman and Alexander Scoles
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	8 October 1868
Completed	1903
Construction cost	£1,700
Administration
Deanery	Southend
Diocese	Brentwood
Province	Westminster

St Helen's Church, also known as Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen's Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Westcliff-on-Sea, England. It is located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The church was started in 1862 and built in 1867. More parts were added between 1898 and 1903. These new parts were designed by Alexander Scoles.

The church is on Milton Road, close to St Helen's Road. It is right next to St Bernard's High School. St Helen's Church is built in the Gothic Revival style. It was the first Catholic church built in Southend after the Reformation. Today, it is a Grade II listed building, which means it is a special historic building.

History of St Helen's Church

How the Church Started

The Catholic community in Southend began in 1862. A priest named Father John Moore led the first services. These services were held in his house.

A very important person who helped the church was Helen Tasker (1823–1888). She lived at Middleton Hall in Essex. In 1870, Pope Pius IX gave her the title of Countess. She inherited a lot of money from her father, Joseph Tasker, who was a successful businessman.

Building the Church

On October 8, 1868, Helen Tasker placed the first stone for the church. The architect who designed the church was Thomas Goodman. The building work was done by Wilkins & Son. Goodman designed the church in the Gothic Revival style. He was inspired by another architect named E. W. Pugin.

The beautiful carvings inside the church were made by Thomas Earp. Building the church cost about £1,700. In October 1869, the church opened. The main part of the church (the nave), the area around the altar (the chancel), and the room where priests prepare (the sacristy) were finished. The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Manning, opened the church. Since other parts were not yet built, temporary screens were put up to hide the construction.

In 1887, a house for the priest, called a presbytery, was built. Leonard Stokes was the architect for this building. Stokes also designed a part of the nearby convent. This convent later became St Bernard's High School. Another architect, Benedict Williamson, also designed an addition to that convent.

In 1895, a new main altar was put into the church. It was designed by Frederick Walters. From 1899 to 1900, a side section called the south aisle was added. Then, from 1902 to 1903, the north aisle and the sacristy were made bigger. Alexander Scoles was the architect for these additions.

On August 12, 1919, the church was officially dedicated in a special ceremony. This was done by the first Bishop of Brentwood, Bernard Ward. During World War II, many of the church's stained glass windows were damaged. From 1952 to 1953, new windows were put in. These were made by a company called Hardman & Co..

Church Services

St Helen's Church holds several services each week. On Saturdays, there is a 6:00 PM service in Polish. On Sundays, there are services at 9:30 AM, 11:15 AM, and 6:00 PM. The current priest for the parish is Father Alex Poblador RCJ. He is part of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus group.

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Brentwood