In 2001, we embarked upon an ambitious reordering project to rearrange the inside of St Helen's Church, replace the heating, repair the organ and bells, and open the building up to serve the wider Abingdon community in addition to ordinary churchgoers.
After three years of services at near-freezing temperatures, St Helen's congregation decamped in September 2003 to worship at Abingdon School while the first part of the work was carried out, at a cost of about a third of a million pounds. An entirely new heating system was installed and the Victorian pews were radically repositioned to face into the centre of this extremely wide church (see photos). Some pews were removed altogether, in particular in the South Aisle where a large space is now available for exhibitions. The centre of the church now comprises a platform which, when the altar is moved out of the way, can support a medium-sized orchestra.
We returned to the church building on Palm Sunday 2004 with great jubilation. The congregation, visitors and townspeople have been extremely impressed by the new focus of the interior, and equally how much more amenable it is to a range of uses, including symphony concerts, lectures, art exhibitions, small recitals, and drama.
By 2004 the organ had gradually become unplayable, partly because of the lack of heating in the church. Master organ-builders removed the workings of the organ and repaired or replaced all of the machinery by Easter 2005. The organ-case, which dates from 1726, was restored and moved forwards in the body of the church to improve both the visibility of the case and how the sound propagates through the building.
The next stage of the work involved opening up the north porch entrance, structural repairs to the tower and installation of a brand new set of bells, completed in 2006. In the near future the archives will be housed in Christ Hospital's old Exchequer Room over the north porch, with work space in an adjoining upper room in the 'priest's house' (between the porch and the tower).
Our vision is for St Helen's as a living building, as well as the historic monument it undoubtedly is too. At the heart of Abingdon for over 500 years, this building has "always been there", yet it's clear that it doesn't serve the modern community as widely as it can in future.
We've been inspired by how fully-booked the new venue has been after the initial phase of work was completed: the new St Helen's has already hosted dozens of concerts and art exhibitions from local and international groups, as well as the ecumenical and C of E services (ranging from Remembrance Sunday to a very popular Christingle) that have been its traditional stock-in-trade.
But we are not quite there yet. We need to raise at least another quarter of a million pounds. This is how we will complete the renewal of this beautiful building:
This church is an asset to the community and can provide a place for people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds to enjoy. We as the Christian Church community can learn from opening our doors to all, from Abingdon, from Oxfordshire and from the world beyond. The faith that drove generations past to build and worship at a wonderful building lives on today in the love with which we reach out to others, and share with them the wonders of this world.
With your help, we will do this.
Trust for the Development of St Helen's Church
Registered Charity No. 1090001
St Helen's Church Office
St Helen's Court
Abingdon, OX14 5BS
Tel. 01235 520 144
Back to St Helen's Abingdon main page.
This web page last edited 25 September 2007
by Martin and Catherine Kimber
(email mc at hamble dot eclipse dot co dot uk)