St Helen's Church, Treeton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Helen's Church, Treeton |
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| 53°23′04″N 1°21′05″W / 53.384501°N 1.351273°W | |
| OS grid reference | SK432877 |
| Location | Front Street, Treeton, South Yorkshire S60 5QP |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Evangelical |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Treeton |
| Deanery | Rotherham Deanery |
| Diocese | Sheffield |
| Province | York |
The Church of St Helen is a very old and important church in the village of Treeton, which is in South Yorkshire, England. It is part of the Church of England. This amazing building is considered a Grade I listed building, meaning it's a really special historical place that needs to be protected. People have been worshipping here since at least the 1100s! You can see the church from many parts of the village because it stands out.
Contents
History of St Helen's Church
Early Beginnings (1086-1200s)
There was a church in Treeton even before the Domesday Book was written in 1086. The Domesday Book was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror to record everything in England. This shows how long churches have been in Treeton!
The church building you see today was mostly built between 1175 and 1200. It replaced an even older church. Only a few parts of the first church remain. These include some Norman arches and a small coffin for a child.
Building the Tower and Additions
The church was named after Saint Helen, an important Christian saint. The bottom part of the church's tall, square tower was built in the 1100s. It is made of rough stone.
In the 1200s, a stone carving of a medieval knight was placed in the western wall. This type of carving is called an effigy. People often call him "Sir Gilbert," but we don't know for sure who he was. His shield is too worn to see any family symbols.
The church was changed and made bigger in the late 1200s and early 1300s. It was also repaired in 1869 and 1892.
Later Changes and Features (1400s)
Many new parts were added in the 1400s. This included the lead roof you see today. The southern porch and a chapel on the south side were also built then.
The top part of the tower was also added in the 1400s. It looks different from the bottom because it's made of a different stone. It has special battlements around the top and small spires in each corner. Inside the tower are six bells. Three of these bells were put in much later, in 1892. There is also a clock face on the eastern side of the tower.
On March 29, 1968, St Helen's Church was officially listed as a Grade I building. This means it is one of the most important historical buildings in England.
Protecting the Church
St Helen's Church is still used by the people of Treeton today. It is important to protect old buildings like this. In 2008, there were concerns about parts of the church, like the lead roof, being damaged. The lead on the roof is very old and valuable. It is important to keep these historical parts safe for future generations to enjoy.
