St Elyn’s Chapel – the original ‘Parish Church’
One of the earliest historical references to ‘St Elyn’s Chapel’ dates from 1552 and was found in an inventory of the area around Prescot Church by the Crown Commissioners. The inventory noted that St Elyn’s had only a ‘chalis and a lyttle bell’. At this time, St Elyn’s Chapel was in a poor condition and was purchased by the Roughley Family from the Crown. A ‘deed of Gift’ dated 23rd January 1614 stated that Katherine and James Downall ‘gave granted and confirmed to Thomas Eccleston, James Kenon, Richard Roughley, William Arrowsmith, Thomas Worsley, Roger Wood, William Naylor, Thomas Turner and Alexander Boardman their heirs and assigns for ever, subject to the yearly rent of one penny, all that messuage chapel and building in Hardshaighe within Windle called the ‘Chapel of St Ellen’s’ with all and singular their appurtenances, and also the piece of land around the chapel called the chapel yard’.
The deed stated that the gift was made to the trustees ‘to the intent that Divine Service may be continued in the chapel and to the intent that the same now being in great decaie might be repaired for the ease of our loving neighbours… and the trustees shall choose fit persons to read Divine Service at the said chapel forever.’
The new trustees were true to their commitment, and in 1615 they began building the new chapel. This was completed in 1621, and in 1622 they received a visit from the Archdeacon of Warrington who appointed ‘Lecturers’ to conduct services. Soon after a new, free Grammar school was built in the area from an endowment left by Thomas Roughley in 1613. In 1670 a new school building was built in the chapel yard; you can see a stone in Church which reads ‘John Lyon built this school house upon his own cost and charge and gave xxx pounds a year for ever’.
This stone has been at one time placed in Moor Flat School in Baldwin Street and then in the Chancel of St Mary’s Mission Church, Keswick Road before coming into St Helens Parish Church. In it’s early years the chapel was ‘non-conformist’ with people of different denominations all worshipping there including Anglicans, Presbyterians and Independents. In 1710, James Naylor the Minister of the Chapel died. Those who wished to remain ‘non-conformist’ left and began an independent chapel, and St Ellen’s became part of the Church of England. All the Ministers thereafter have been Anglican.
St Mary’s – the old Parish Church
In 1816 the chapel measured 75 feet by 78.5 feet. It was consecrated and dedicated to St Mary. Although the church was dedicated to St Mary, it was officially designated as the Parish Church of St Helens. In 1837, the year of Queen Victoria’s ascension to the throne, bells were hung in the tower for the first time. About this time the old organ was purchased by Mr Webster and placed in St Helens Town Hall, and a new organ was acquired for the church. The rails in front of church were removed and the space was flagged forming the pavement alongside Church Street. The money paid by the corporation as compensation for the rails was spent on building a verger’s house (a verger is a bit like a caretaker for a church.)
In 1886 Rev. John Eyre was appointed and soon after the church was cleared of locked pews and the floor was concreted. In 1898, electric lighting was installed. Then, in 1916 a great fire destroyed the building. Over the following 10 years, the congregation met for worship in the Town Hall while money was raised to build the new Parish Church of St Helen. Throughout this time a temporary chapel was constructed and consecrated in the foundations of the old church for baptisms to take place. There were two services a week in the special chapel, one on Sunday and one mid-week.
St Helen’s – the new Parish Church.
Money was raised to rebuild the Parish church in a variety of ways. Perhaps the most notable one was a ‘free will offering envelope’ school which generated thousands of envelopes with donations in just a few months. In 1920 the foundation stone was laid for the new church, this stone can be seen outside the east window of the Memorial Chapel. By 1920, £47,000 had been raised but with an estimated bill of £70,000 some adjustments needed to be made to the original plans. On Wednesday 10th November 1926, the Bishop of Liverpool consecrated the new Church of St Helen. Most of the townspeople watched as a procession of dignitaries arrived, and the St Helens Reporter stated: ‘After many years of giving to raise funds for the construction of the church, people still raised money for the upkeep and also for many things which were still required.’
The largest congregations attending a service at St Helens Parish Church were at a Memorial Service for King George VI in 1952 when 2000 people assembled; and in 1954, on the occasion of the first relay by the Post Office land line of a Crusade Service from Harringay in London conducted by Dr Billy Graham (the famous American Evangelist). Then there were 2,300 people gathered at St Helens Parish Church. St Helens Parish Church is a magnificent building: it has been adapted as the mission and ministry of the Church has changed over time, we will continue to do all we can to bring the good news of Jesus to the town of St Helens in all that we do in this place.
The building was designed and dedicated to bring God glory, and so as you walk round and enjoy it’s beauty, we hope you are able to encounter the peace of God which passes all understanding.
Life at St Helens Parish Church today
There is a lot going on at St Helens Parish Church: including a toddler group, bible study groups, regular Sunday worship, Midweek Communion Services, and special occasions such as our Christmas Carol Service and marking important moments such as the Queen’s platinum Jubilee. For more information and all the latest on what’s going on please visit our Facebook page, follow us on twitter or email info@sthelensparishchurch.org and ask to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.