St Helen's Church, Waddington Explained

St Helen's Church, Waddington
Pushpin Map:United Kingdom Borough of Ribble Valley
Map Caption:Location in the Borough of Ribble Valley
Location:Waddington, Lancashire
Country:England
Coordinates:53.8899°N -2.4144°W
Osgraw:SD 729,438
Website:St Helen, Waddington
Dedication:Saint Helen
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Grade II*
Designated Date:16 November 1964
Architect:Austin and Paley
Architectural Type:Church
Style:Gothic, Gothic Revival
Completed Date:1901
Materials:Sandstone, stone slate roofs
Parish:Waddington
Deanery:Whalley
Archdeaconry:Blackburn
Diocese:Blackburn
Province:York
Vicar:Revd Christopher Wood

St Helen's Church is in the village of Waddington, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Whalley, the archdeaconry of Blackburn, and the Diocese of Blackburn.[1] [2] Its benefice is united with that of St Catherine, West Bradford. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

History

The church dates from about 1500, but only the tower remains from that time. The nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1898–1901 by the Lancaster architects Austin and Paley.

Architecture

St Helen's is constructed in sandstone with stone slate roofs. Its plan consists of a nave with a clerestory, north and south aisles, a south porch, short north and south transepts, a lower chancel, and a west tower. The tower is in three stages with a west doorway, above which is a three-light window. The bell openings have two lights, and the parapet is embattled, with pinnacles and gargoyles at the corners. The parapets of the aisles are also embattled. The east window of the chancel has five lights.

Inside the church are open timber roofs. The five-bay arcades have pointed arches carried on octagonal piers. Above the inner arch of the west door are nine carved heads. The octagonal sandstone font dates from the 16th-century, and has a bowl carved with the instruments of the Passion. In the west window of the tower is stained glass dating from the 19th century, depicting St Helen flanked by the Saxon chieftain Wadda, and King Henry VI. There is a ring of six bells, all cast in 1972 by John Taylor & Co.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diocese of Blackburn is now home to SIX new Parishes. Ronnie. Semley. Diocese of Blackburn. 16 April 2014. 21 May 2014. cs2.
  2. News: Bishop of Blackburn Julian welcomes new parishes to diocese. Lancashire Telegraph. Newsquest (North West). 21 May 2014. 21 May 2014. cs2.