"Saint Helen's Church Rebuild"
- 30 Apr 2011 (updated 17 Aug 2012)
Exciting news! The old Saint Helen's Church, which had stood in the grounds of Eston Cemetery since the 12th Century and was dedicated for worship in 1393, is being rebuilt at Beamish Open-Air Museum.
This article outlines the church's history, use, deterioration, removal to Beamish, rebuilding plans & progress so far.
Work started in March 2011 & the foundations have been laid.
A director from Beamish appeals for your help to provide photos & any original artefacts to help restore the churches fabric.
See this Article.
Update 5 July 2011: plinth stones of church nave laid & those for the tower being laid.
Update 26 July: foundations & lower levels of the church are now mostly complete, with work started on reconstructing the vestry (which had been stolen from Eston).
Update 10 August: first of the scaffolding has gone up and some decorated stonework added.
Update 12 September: Very quick progress with most of the stonework up to next level of scaffold. Work on the Tower begun & next level of scaffold going up shortly.
Update 3 October: Wooden arch former is in place, and stonework on the arch begun. 'Fish Man' - a carved stone character - appears!
Update 24 November: The beams for the gallery which will overlook the nave are in place & the arch (with former) is coming along too. The curved doorway formers are in place ready for stone to be added later.
Update 22 December: Chancel roof timbers in place - protecting the interior & much progress on stonework (see video).
Update 22 March 2012: After mild winter work restarted in February. Hand-carved roof beams & trusses lifted in place & roof lats fitted so slating began.
Update 30 May 2012: Tower progressing well - soon to reach full-height! Slating of roof nearly complete.
Update 17 August 2012: The initial phase of building work is now complete. Although work will need to continue with the church interior and landscape (in the autumn), the construction of the church to this point has meant that the stone is safely conserved.
(see latest news on Rebuild Progress at Beamish.)