"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

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
 

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