Church Heritage Record 621573

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentForumAudit

Brigsley: St Helen

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Brigsley: St Helen
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Festival Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

621573
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Lincoln
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Stow and Lindsey
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Brigsley

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade II* Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the south elevation of the church seen from the south-west corner of the churchyard.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

November 2011
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Catherine Townsend

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is open for worship.
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://walthamgroupchurches.co.uk

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
North East Lincolnshire Council (2016) North East Lincolnshire Historic Environment Record (HER) HER Number: 0087/2/0 [Digital Archive/Data]
http://isharemaps.nelincs.gov.uk/mynelc.aspx
Cathedral and Church Buildings Division (2014) Research into the Presence of Bats in Churches [Digital Archive/Data]
CCB project, summer 2014, to ascertain the presence or absence of bats in church building
Catherine Townsend (November 2011) Exterior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Cresswell (December 1913) Church Plan of 621573 Briglsey St Helen [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Church Plan of 621573 Briglsey St Helen
Catherine Townsend (November 2011) Interior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/15005/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~158369~121680 [Archive/Graphic material]

Other

ICBS File Number - 11206

Coverage - 1913

Created by CRESSWELL, John James: b. 1857 - d. 1944 of Grimsby and Louth

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~158379~121681 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 11206

Coverage - 1913

Created by CRESSWELL, John James: b. 1857 - d. 1944 of Grimsby and Louth

Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 3 Bells [Archive/Index]
3 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TA 254 018

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Unitary Authority:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

North East Lincolnshire (B)

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

Brigsley is a small village situated south-south-west of Grimsby. The church lies to the east of Church Lane on raised ground. Access is via a flight of eleven steps, paved in concrete flags, to the west door. Footpaths access the site from the east which is wooded and contains many sycamores. There is a stone retaining wall to the south and west sides and a panelled fence to the north. Trees and shrubs line other boundaries. A new house has been built opposite and church farmhouse is situated to the south.

Gravestones date from the 18th century and surround the church on each side. An ancient cross (Grade II listed) is located to the south. Some stone tomb chests reside. Down several steps in the north-east corner is a churchyard extension consecrated in 1949. A small area for parking is situated north of the site, up the road.

Church Plan

Church Plan of 621573 Briglsey St Helen
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Church Plan of 621573 Briglsey St Helen
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Groundplan by Crersswell
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
December 1913
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Cresswell

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

West tower with entrance at ground level, 3-bay aisleless nave, 2-bay chancel.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

[Approximate] Nave 7m (23ft) x 5m (16ft), chancel 7m (23ft) x 4m (13ft).

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

119 m2

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

A list of rectors inside St Helen's dates back to 1290. The church is thought to have Saxon or early Norman foundations with the tower dated to the 11th century (with 14th century belfry, 15th century battlements and 18th century gargoyles) with 13th century arcades (now blocked), an early 14th century chancel, and windows, clerestory and parapet dated 14th-15th centuries.

In 1796 the north and south aisles were removed and the arcades blocked. Georgian style windows with wooden glazing bars were inserted. Further restorations were undertaken in the 19th and 20th centuries. A plaque on the north wall records the restoration of the chancel in 1961 when both nave and chancel were re-roofed.

Brigsley is a small village which was probably a medieval settlement. A neolithic polished stone axe has previously been found in the village. The site of the church is of high archaeological potential. Although there are no known designations relating to the ecology of the site, the church is understood to host bats.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

St Helen's is a small church raised on high ground. A 2-stage square battlemented west tower with gargoyles at the corners is visible on approach. Different stones used during different phases of construction and restoration have left a patchy exterior appearance.

The tower has 2-light pointed tracery windows on each side set beneath hood moulds with a moulded stringcourse above and below. The north and south elevations of the nave are partly rendered and supported by buttresses between the bays rising to clerestory level. The south side has three sets of 3-light square-headed wooden windows with leaded glazing. A single Gothick style leaded glazed window to the north. The blocked arcades can be identified within the masonry. The clerestory contains two 2-light square-headed windows to north and south sides.

The chancel is considerably lower than the nave. There are two 2-light windows in the north and south walls and a 3-light east window. The east gable is of brick and a filled in higher chancel arch projects beyond the roofline of the chancel. A simple red brick chimney climbs the south-east nave wall. A blocked priest's door can be seen in the south west chancel wall. A masons mark can be seen at the bottom of the north lintel of the west door.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
Lee D Holmes
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
CHANCEL (14th century)
NAVE (13th century)
TOWER (COMPONENT) (11th century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
CHALK (11th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th)
COBBLE (11th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th)
LIMESTONE (11th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th)
LINCOLNSHIRE LIMESTONE (11th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th)
SLATE (11th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th)
STONE (Mixed)
TILE (Mixed)

Interior Image

Interior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 621573 Brigsley St Helen
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph of the inside of the church, looking east.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
November 2011
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Catherine Townsend

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The interior is accessed via a west door in the base of the tower. The space within is small and low with steps to the south accessing the tower above. The nave is entered via a door directly in line with the main entrance. The interior is covered by a high king post truss roof structure. North and south walls are plastered and white-washed and reveal traces of the former arcade piers. The west wall is bare stone. A high round-headed Norman tower arch can be seen in the centre with commandment boards either side. Remains of wall paintings are noted to survive around the tower arch. The area above the simple entrance is boarded with plywood, also blocking an 18th-century balustraded gallery.

A black marble memorial stone fills much of the central aisle and is covered by a plastic protector. Wood pew platforms either side of the aisle are covered in rush mats and seating is provided by stained pitch pine pews, post 1894. The south west corner is separated by a curtain to provide a vestry.

At the east end, the chancel is accessed through a lower chancel arch set beneath a high, pointed 13th-century chancel arch. The roof is a modern king-post structure. The chancel floor is carpeted. The level of the central section (choir) is dropped by one step, here carpet is laid over red industrial bricks. The sanctuary is then raised by a step. A sedilia is set into the north wall and a piscina set into the south wall. Grey painted Georgian panelling against the east wall acts as a reredos. The chancel retains pointed windows containing tracery of intersecting, geometric and reticulated designs under hoodmoulds.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
ALTAR (19th century)
BELL (1 of 3)
BELL (2 of 3)
BELL (3 of 3)
FONT (COMPONENT) (15th century)
LECTERN (19th century)
ORGAN (COMPONENT) (20th century)
PULPIT (18th century)
RAIL (18th century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (16th century )

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: TA 254 018

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Festival Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Festival Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Festival Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has the following evidence of bats: Data gathered summer 2014

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Festival Church.

Designation TypeNameGrade  
Listed Building Churchyard Cross Approximately 12 Metres South Of Church Of Saint Helen II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Festival Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Moderate
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The site is of considerable archaeological value and historic interest and the church has some streetscape value, enhanced by the presence of a tower and situation on raised ground.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church has contents of considerable value.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Work in progress - can you help?

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Festival Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Festival Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Festival Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Festival Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Festival Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Festival Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionFri 16 Jun 2017 14:17:40
Anna CampenAdded object typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:14:08
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:13:43
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:13:22
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:12:01
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:11:33
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:11:02
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:09:59
Anna CampenAdded interior feature typeFri 16 Jun 2017 14:08:08
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionFri 16 Jun 2017 13:18:40
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