St Helen's Church, Stapleford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Helen's Church, Stapleford |
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St Helen's Church, Stapleford
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| Website | www.staplefordparish.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Helen |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stapleford, Nottinghamshire |
| Diocese | Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St. Helen's Church in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, is a special church that belongs to the Church of England. It is a very old building, important enough to be called a "Grade II* listed" building. This means it's a significant place, not just for the local area but for the whole country.
In the churchyard, there is an even older stone cross. This cross is so important that it is "Grade I listed" and also a "scheduled ancient monument." This means it is protected by law because of its historical value.
Contents
About St. Helen's Church
A Look at History
St. Helen's Church is a medieval building, meaning it was built many hundreds of years ago. Around the late 1400s, a new section called a clerestory was added. This part has four tall windows that let in more light.
In 1785, a new porch and doorway were built in a classical style. A gallery was also put in at the back of the church. The inside walls were covered with plaster, and the roof had a flat ceiling. Some repairs were done in 1819 to keep the church in good shape.
Important Changes Over Time
A big restoration project happened between 1875 and 1877. During this time, brick supports on the north side were taken away. The church walls were made stronger from below. A new aisle, a room for the organ, and a vestry (a room for clergy robes) were built.
The old roofs were completely replaced. The gallery that was added in 1785 was removed. All the windows were fixed up. The large window at the east end of the church received beautiful stained glass from a company in Munich. New oak screens and choir stalls were also put in. This major work cost about £1,500 at the time. The architect for this project was W.H. Parkinson from Leeds.
Later, in 1923, a special chapel was added to remember people. It was designed by a famous architect named Sir Thomas Graham Jackson.
The Church Organ
A new organ was installed in the church in 1877. It was made by Charles Lloyd and Co. from Nottingham. This organ had two keyboards (called manuals) and pedals played with the feet. It had 11 different sounds, called speaking stops. The organ was repaired in 1958, costing £250.
The Church Bells
The church tower holds six bells. The smallest three bells were made by John Taylor & Co. in 1932. The fourth bell dates back to 1843 and was made by Samuel Midworth. The fifth bell and the largest bell (called the tenor) are very old. They were made around 1499 by a foundry in Leicester. The tenor bell weighs about 371 kilograms (818 pounds).
The Ancient Stone Cross
In the churchyard, there is a very old stone cross. It is listed as Grade I, meaning it is extremely important. This cross was made around the year 1000 AD. A famous historian named Nikolaus Pevsner said it was "by far the most important pre-Conquest monument in Notts." This means it is the most important ancient monument in Nottinghamshire from before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Some people think this cross might be where the name 'Stapleford' came from. The name could mean a crossing place near a post or pillar.
Remembering People: Memorials
Inside the church, there are memorials that remember people from the past. These include:
- Robert Tevery, who passed away in 1571
- Gervase Tevery, who passed away in 1639
- George John Borlase Warren, who passed away in 1801
St. Helen's Today
St. Helen's Church Stapleford is still an active church today. It has a "daughter church" called St. Luke's Church Stapleford. It also has a newer church group called Church @ Montrose Court.
See Also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Nottinghamshire
- Listed buildings in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire
References
