St Helena's Church, Thoroton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Helena's Church, Thoroton |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | The Cranmer Group |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Helena |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Thoroton |
| Diocese | Southwell and Nottingham |
| Province | York |
St Helena's Church, Thoroton is a historic church in the small village of Thoroton, Nottinghamshire, England. It belongs to the Church of England. This special building is officially recognized as a Grade I listed site. This means it is considered very important because of its amazing architecture and history.
Contents
Discovering St Helena's Church History
St Helena's Church is very old, dating back to the Middle Ages. Some parts of the church, like the East end, are from the 11th century. That's over 900 years ago!
How the Church Was Restored
The church was given a big makeover between 1868 and 1869. An architect named John Henry Hakewill led this work. During the restoration, the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) was rebuilt. The roof was also replaced, and new seats were added for everyone.
Unique Features of the Church Building
The church's tower is from the 14th century. It has cool stone carvings called corbels and four gargoyles. Gargoyles are often shaped like strange creatures and help drain water from the roof. Most of the colorful stained glass windows were put in during the 1869 restoration.
The church also has a plain, round font. This is a basin used for baptisms. It has a base that dates back to the 14th century. The vestry, a room where priests prepare, has been turned into a small chapel.
Who Was Saint Helena?
The church is named after Saint Helena of Constantinople. She was the mother of Constantine, who was the first Roman Emperor to become a Christian. Legend says that Saint Helena found the True Cross when she visited the Holy Land in the year AD 326.
Past Problems and Repairs
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Thoroton's church was part of a larger church area called Orston. Before its big restoration, the church was in poor condition. A visitor in 1866 described it as needing repairs. The push to restore the church came after it was badly damaged by lightning in 1868.
Inside the church, you can find a special stone tablet. It remembers a person named Gulielmi Barrett, who passed away in 1760. There is also a marble tablet from 1919. This tablet is a war memorial, honoring those who served.
Being Part of the Cranmer Group
St Helena's Church is part of a group of churches called the Cranmer Group. This group includes several other churches in nearby villages. These are St Thomas's Church, Aslockton, the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Hawksworth, St Mary's Church in Orston, the Church of St John of Beverley, Scarrington, and the Church of St John of Beverley, Whatton.
If you want to attend a service at St Helena's Church, they usually have one on the second Sunday of each month. It might be a Holy Communion service or Matins, which is a morning prayer service.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Nottinghamshire
- Listed buildings in Thoroton
