"Odd" was our reaction on first seeing St Helen's, Brigsley. It would be interesting to count the number of different building materials used over the centuries.

The lower part of the tower is eleventh-century, the upper in the Perpendicular style as is the clerestory.

The chancel is from the Decorated period. The north and south arcades have gone.

There are some interesting interior fittings though how one can gain access is not clear.

Mark Acton, August 2014

Pevsner describes the chancel windows of St Helen's as "memorable".  The tracery - Geometrical, intersecting and reticulated - is typical, respectively, of 1270, 1300 and 1330.

In stark contrast the south windows of the nave appear to be twentieth century domestic.

August 2014

The view from the east shows the intersecting tracery of the chancel's east window.

The wide range of building material is evident: chalk, ironstone, ashlar limestone - and cement render.

August 2014

Kelly's Directory 1930 notes :-

"The church of St. Helen is a building of chalk stone, in the Norman and Early English styles with some windows of the Early Decorated period, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave and an embattled western tower containing 3 bells, one of which is of pre-Reformation date:

the tower is Norman, the chancel and nave are Early English; and the former retains two of its original windows and a sedile:

the mullions of the chancel windows are carved out of chalk, and in the churchyard are the remains of a cross:

the communion plate includes a chalice dated 1575, and a large flagon, the gift of Letitia Lady Wigley, daughter of Arthur Cressey, of this parish:

there are 105 sittings"

DB 10 December 2023

Looking towards the sanctuary and pointed 3-light east window.

Christmas tree festival in progress.

DB 10 December 2023

A second view looking towards the sanctuary.

"early C14 chancel"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

"This Window was restored to the Glory of God and in memory of  HENRY MAURICE BENEDICT GUN-CUNINGHAME M.C. 1897 - 1970"

DB 10 December 2023

"Chancel has pointed chamfered piscina to south with corbelled bowl"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

"PRAISE GOD FOR THE RESTORATION OF THIS CHANCEL 1961"

DB 10 December 2023

A closer view of the sanctuary.

Piscina to south and triangular-headed aumbry or niche to the north.

DB 10 December 2023

The view down the nave looking west shows the round-headed arch leading into the eleventh-century tower.

Former aisles to the north and south were removed long ago, leaving a relatively high and narrow nave.

The two boards either side of the tower arch carry inscriptions of  the Ten Commandments. 

Chris Squires, September 2023
 

Plastering and painting have obscured some of the church's features. The Georgian pulpit, communion rails and east wall panelling are difficult to appreciate in this view towards the chancel.

Chris Squires, September 2023
 

Looking east towards the chancel. Christmas tree festival in progress.

Blocked C13 nave arcades to either side.

DB 10 December 2023

Looking west towards the entrance. Christmas tree festival in progress.

"Alterations of 1796 included removal of aisles, inserting west door and refitting interior"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

"Medieval octagonal font on tall shaft with moulded plinth and base"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

"C18 fittings include: panelled octagonal pulpit with a pair of fluted pilasters supporting an octagonal tester with cornice"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

Looking up to the nave roof.

DB 10 December 2023

"Royal Arms of 1819 by G Stout of Grimsby"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

DB 10 December 2023

On the north side of St Helen's a few putlog holes survive. They were fixing points for wooden scaffolding during building construction.  Usually they were filled when work was completed.

August 2014

"C11 tower with C14 - C15 windows and parapet"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103490?section=official-list-entry 

White's Directory 1872 has "The Church (St. Helen) is a small, old, dilapidated fabric of stone, comprising nave, chancel, and tower containing three bells. The living is a rectory, valued in K.B. at £7. 4s. 2d., and now at £51, in the gift of the Chapter of Southwell, and incumbency of the Rev. James Garvey, M.A., who is also rector of Ashby-cum-Fenby, where he resides"

DB 10 December 2023