St Helen

porch and schoolroom above C15, rebuilt 1866.

Porch door of wide boards, probably C15, in chamfered pointed arch.

INTERIOR has C15 roof with side and ridge purlins, rafters renewed.

Chancel arcades of paired pointed arches with recessed chamfers on octagonal piers, the north with leaves and a fir-cone motif (a primitive version of the well-carved cone at Finchale Priory, Durham, also on north chancel capital).

South arcade has similar fleur-de-lys and modified nailhead, and on the face towards the chancel are 2 spheres, one cross-hatched, the other with multiple irregular circles, possibly representing sun and moon, as in medieval crucifixion scenes.

Nave arcades 2 east bays C12, north round pier with moulded base on octagonal plinth broached to square base, and enriched waterleaf capital.

Deep circular plain bowl stone font on wide pedestal beside south door possibly late C12

Choir pews incorporate some C17 tracery, balustrades and cresting in backs. organ screen incorporates C17 carving.

MEMORIALS include Frosterley limestone medieval-style incised grave cover in north aisle, with cross and sword. c1470 brass indent in chancel, partly obscured by altar steps, showing parents and 6 children.

Brass on north aisle wall set up or moved in 1647 to Ralph Dalton, Armiger, who held office under Bishop Tunstall

d. 1558, and his son Robert who was buried at St Martin, Ludgate, London, February 10th 1560.

STAINED GLASS includes windows at east to Rev Matthew Chester, d. 1871, with medieval style Saints Cuthbert and Helen flanking the Risen Christ.

Grisaille in north chancel chapel, north and east 1914-1918 War Memorial windows, and very high quality east window in south aisle to Emma White d. 1920, with Saints Hilda and Aidan.

Wood poor box attached to south arcade C17 or C18 with painted inscription.