Church of St Helen, St Helen Auckland
The Church of St Helen is a Church of England parish church in St Helen Auckland, County Durham. It is a Grade I listed building.
| Church of St Helen, St Helen Auckland | |
|---|---|
 The church and graveyard | |
| 54°38′09″N 1°42′35″W | |
| Location | Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, County Durham, DL14 9EN |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Traditional Catholic |
| Website | http://www.sthelenschurch.co.uk/ |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | Two |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Durham |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Auckland |
| Deanery | Auckland |
| Parish | St. Helen Auckland |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Rt Revd Stephen Race SSC (AEO) |
| Vicar(s) | The Rev'd Canon Robert McTeer SSC |
| Honorary priest(s) | The Rev'd Father Peter Anderton SSC |
| NSM(s) | The Rev'd Edward Gunn, SSC |
| Laity | |
| Organist(s) | Joan Johnson |
| Organ scholar | vacant |
| Churchwarden(s) | John Bake and Anne Skillcorn |
History
The church dates to the late 12th century and early 13th century.[1] The oldest surviving part of the church, the two easternmost bays of the nave, were built in 1120.[2] A low-pitched roof was added when the roof was rebuilt in the 15th century.[1] At the turn of the 16th century, a clerestory and battlements were built.[2] The original door to the church remains, making it "one of the oldest doors in England".[2]
On 21 April 1952, the church was designated a grade I listed building.[1]
In 2001, a restoration of the church took place. This involved renewing the floor, replacing the fixed pews with new movable ones, limewashing the walls, and repointing masonry. It cost £170,000.[3]
Present day
The Parish of St. Helen Auckland is part of the Archdeaconry of Auckland in the Diocese of Durham.[1]
The parish stands in the Traditional Catholic tradition of the Church of England.[4] As the parish rejects the ordination of women, it receives alternative episcopal oversight from the Bishop of Beverley (currently Stephen Race),[5] and it is affiliated with The Society.[6]
Gallery
Noticeboard
Entrance
References
- Historic England. "Church of St Helen (1196602)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- "History". S. Helen's Church. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
- "Restoration of St Helen's Church". S. Helen's Church.
- "St Helen Auckland, West Auckland". A Church Near You. Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- "St Helen, Auckland". See of Beverley. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- "Diocese of Durham: Parishes of the Society". The Society. Forward in Faith. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
External links
