St Helen's Church, Grove facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. Helen's Church, Grove
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Broad Church
History
Dedication	St. Helen
Specifications
Bells	4
Administration
Parish	Grove
Deanery	Bassetlaw & Bawtry
Diocese	Southwell and Nottingham
Province	York

St. Helen's Church, Grove is a historic parish church in the Church of England. You can find it in the village of Grove, Nottinghamshire, in England.

This church is a very special building. It is listed as a Grade II listed building. This means it is important for its architecture or history. The government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport protects it.

History of St. Helen's Church

The church building we see today was mostly built in 1882. It was designed by an architect named C. Hodgson Fowler. However, the church's history goes back much further, to medieval times.

We don't know the exact year the first church was built here. But it was probably before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086, mentions a priest and a church in Grove. It also noted there were 8 acres of meadow and a large wood.

Long ago, this church had two rectors and a vicar. In 1227, the Archbishop of York, Walter de Gray, combined these roles. This made the church simpler to manage.

Over the centuries, important local families were connected to the church. For example, in 1425, Sir Thomas Hercy left his best horse to the church's rector. Later, Humphrey Hercy asked to be buried in the church's chancel.

The church is dedicated to St. Helen. It is a small, old building with a main hall (called a nave) and a special area near the altar (called a chancel). Outside, it looks simple. Inside, it is clean and well-kept. The church has a short tower with two bells.

Special Memorials Inside

Inside the church, especially in the chancel, you can find some interesting old floor stones. These are like flat tombstones. One has a cross carved on it, but the rest of the writing is hard to read.

Next to it is another stone for Hugo de Hercy. This stone is made of alabaster, a soft white stone. It is about six and a half feet long and three feet wide. It shows two figures lying down. One is a man in armor with a hat and feather. A dog is at his feet. The other figure is a woman. Their faces are very worn. Above the man's head is a shield. Above the woman's head is a special cross design.

Near the edge of this stone, there is Latin writing. It says: "Hic jacet Hugo Hercy qui obiit VI die Decembris anno dm m. cccc. I. V. et Elizabeth uxor ejus quae obiit anno dm m. cccc. I. Animae proprietur Deus." This means: "Here lies Hugo Hercy who died on the 6th day of December in the year of our Lord 1405, and Elizabeth his wife who died in the year of our Lord 1401. May God own their souls."

In another part of the church, called the aisle, there is another stone. It says: "Resvrgam Katharine Neville obiit 17mo. die Mass 1683." This means: "I shall rise again. Katharine Neville died on the 17th day of May 1683."

In the chancel, there is also a nice monument on the wall. It remembers William Levinz, who was the only son of a judge. William Levinz was a Member of Parliament for many years. He died in 1747 when he was 76 years old. His wife, Anne, died in 1726 and is also buried there.

Church Group

St. Helen's Church is part of a group of churches in the area. This group includes:

• St. Nicholas' Church, Askham
• St. Helen's Church, Grove
• Church of St. John the Baptist, East Markham
• St. Peter's Church, Headon-cum-Upton

The Church Organ

The church has a special musical instrument called a pipe organ. It has two keyboards (manuals). This organ was built by Bevington in 1859. It was moved to St. Helen's Church in 1894. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register.

See also

• Listed buildings in Grove, Nottinghamshire

Sources