Christians have been worshipping on the site of St. Helen's for over 1,000 years. A Saxon nunnery dedicated to St. Helen stood on this site but no trace of this remains. The present building was begun around 1100 and finished in 1538, although there have been numerous internal alterations over the years. The current reordering project is partly reversing some changes made by the Victorians, and also aims to ensure the building can continue to function effectively for future generations.
St. Helen's has the distinction of being the second widest church in England, having 5 aisles and being 10ft(3m) wider than it is long.
One of the glories of St. Helen's is the medieval painted ceiling in the Lady Chapel. It was completed in 1391 and shows the lineage of Jesus according to St Matthew's Gospel in 52 oak panels, linked by a symbolic vine.
A link of interest may be the hevac-heritage page. This shows some details of the old heating system as installed by the Victorians, with photographs showing the floor of St Helen's before the current phase of development had begun.
Back to St Helen's Abingdon main page.
This web page last edited 29 August 2004
by Martin and Catherine Kimber
(email mc at hamble dot eclipse dot co dot uk)