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St. Helen's Church, St. Helens is a
The original church of St. Helens was in a bad state as far back as the 16th century, according to the presentment of George Oglander, the centoner of St. Helens. By the 18th century it had become so ruinous that a new church was built and the old church allowed to go to ruin. The tower, a 13th-century structure, was the only part left standing, and can still be seen today. The garden at the rear of the old Church tower was the parish burial ground from the time of the first church until the 18th century. The tower was bricked up and painted white as a seamark for Navy ships in 1719.
Apocryphal tales suggest that stones from the old church were often taken to be used to clean the decks of sailing ships, giving rise to the practice known as ‘holy-stoning’ the decks.
Cromwell's Commissioners reported in 1656 that the "Church is washed by the sea to the foundations; fearing the fall thereof there have been endeavours to secure it with great charge". They recommended that "it be taken down ere it fall and set up in the midst of the Parish." It was sixty years before the new church was finally constructed safely inland.
National Pipe Organ Register
This organ has been replaced by a larger instrument by Willis and Sons.
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...
in the Church of England
The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...
located in St Helens on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight ( ) is a Counties of England, county in the English Channel, off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. It is the List of islands of England#Largest islands, largest and List of islands of England#Mo ...
.
History
A priory at St Helens was founded after the Norman Conquest by French Benedictine monks. The previous Saxon church was rebuilt in Norman style to serve both the local parish and the new priory. The church was dedicated to St Helena, and the nearby village in due course was known by this name. The tower was added in the 13th century during the reign of Henry III. The Benedictine priory was dissolved in 1414. Henry VI granted the priory lands toEton College
Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, ...
on its foundation in 1440, and the college owned it until 1799.
The original church of St. Helens was in a bad state as far back as the 16th century, according to the presentment of George Oglander, the centoner of St. Helens. By the 18th century it had become so ruinous that a new church was built and the old church allowed to go to ruin. The tower, a 13th-century structure, was the only part left standing, and can still be seen today. The garden at the rear of the old Church tower was the parish burial ground from the time of the first church until the 18th century. The tower was bricked up and painted white as a seamark for Navy ships in 1719.
Apocryphal tales suggest that stones from the old church were often taken to be used to clean the decks of sailing ships, giving rise to the practice known as ‘holy-stoning’ the decks.
Cromwell's Commissioners reported in 1656 that the "Church is washed by the sea to the foundations; fearing the fall thereof there have been endeavours to secure it with great charge". They recommended that "it be taken down ere it fall and set up in the midst of the Parish." It was sixty years before the new church was finally constructed safely inland.
St Helens New Church
The new church was built in 1717 about a mile inland. In 1831 the church was rebuilt, and in 1862 a new chancel was erected. The present church is a stone structure with brick dressings, and consists of an aisleless nave, with transepts, a chancel, and west tower with one bell. There is a mural tablet to SirNash Grose
Sir Nash Grose (1740-1814), was an English judge.
Grose was the son of Edward Grose of London, and was born in 1740. He went to Cambridge University, became a fellow of Trinity Hall, and took the degree of LL.B. in 1768. He was called to the ba ...
, who died in 1814, and his son Edward.'Parishes: St Helens', A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 5 (1912), pp. 189-193. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42070 Date accessed: 14 December 2008.
Organ
There was an organ was built in 1864 byGray & Davison
Grey (more common in British English) or gray (more common in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning literally that it is "without color", because it can be composed o ...
. A specification of the organ can be found on thNational Pipe Organ Register
This organ has been replaced by a larger instrument by Willis and Sons.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:St. Helen, St. Helen's Church Church of England church buildings on the Isle of Wight Grade II listed churches on the Isle of Wight 1717 establishments in England