The Old Church of St Helens, Ore, was replaced by the present church in 1868 because it was stated that “The whole interior is so damp and wretched that parishioners are prevented from attending”, and a vestry meeting of 1868 decided that “It is in a most unsatisfactory state of repair, the roof being in a bad condition, requiring immediate and thorough reparation, both as regards the main timbers and the retiling, amounting to entire reproofing. That the main walls are in places, so falling over, that if the roof were removed it would be necessary to rebuild it in parts”.
As can be seen from this photograph from the early 20th century, this building once looked much better proportioned with a graceful spire atop the south east tower instead of the clumsy roof there today. The architects were Habershon and Brock and it was built of local stone in the Decorated style of architecture.
A ruined portion of the old St Helens still survives today together with some of the tombstones in the very ruinous old churchyard.
Digital photograph
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