Hollinfare
About our ParishWelcome to the Church of St. Helen, Hollinfare.
You are entering a building on a site where Christians have been worshipping since the days when Christopher Columbus was crossing the Atlantic.
You will have noticed, on approaching our church, that its defining architectural signature is the cupola – the tower which houses the bell.
The bell tower was an integral part of the early 18th century rebuilding programme but it was not until 1778 that the bell was installed. It is inscribed John Wright.
During the past decade, the bell tower had fallen into disrepair and it was feared that it might fall down altogether. Accordingly, the Parochial Church Council, with the support of a new organisation, the Friends of St Helen, mounted a campaign to refurbish it at a quoted cost of £14,000. By the time the work had been completed in 2004, that figure had somewhat reversed – increasing to £41,000 – but we obtained much appreciated help from various village organisations and individuals.
You can see from the priests’ board fixed to the north wall that a chantry chapel was established on this site by the then Lord of the Manor of Rixton, Hamlet Mascy, in 1497.
A daughter church of St Elphin in Warrington, it was dedicated to St Helen, that church’s original patron saint.
St Helen, Hollinfare, is a grade 2 listed building. Having been extensively rebuilt in the 18th century, our church was restored again in the 1870s (when it became a parish church) and completely refurbished in the 1980s. However, the original beams still support the roof.
Our church interior was re-decorated in 2007.
On your left is the part of our church that is affectionately known as the Children’s Corner because it is the site of the font. This was presented to the church by the Sunday School.
The Sunday School is one of the longest-established in the country. It has continued at least since 1820.
Paradoxically, this corner also accommodates the Book of Remembrance.
The icon you see on the south wall is that of St Helen, our patron saint.
Helen was the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. Following his conversion and baptism, Helen became a fervent Christian and before her momentous pilgrimage she built or restored many places of worship.
She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 326 AD where she founded basilicas on the Mount of Olives and in Bethlehem.
While on her pilgrimage she paid for the clearance of a mound that covered the Holy Sepulchre and there discovered the cross on which our Lord was crucified.
For Helen, Christ’s Sermon on the Mount was her principal inspiration. In the latter part of her life she lived its teachings to the full, caring especially for the poor and those in prison.
Helen is prayed for every week in this church and her special feast day in the Anglican Communion is May 21.
The icon, presented to this church by a former vicar, Father Colin Holbrook, shows Helen with the cross and nails. Another picture of Helen looking at the cross can be seen in the sacristy.
The large plaque on the south wall remembers the Freeman family who lived at Crook Hall in the 18th century.
By turning left immediately after entering the porch you may climb the stairs to the balcony.
At the time of building’s second major refurbishment in 1882 there simply was not enough room in the church to accommodate all those who wished to worship.
Accordingly, the balcony was added to enlarge the capacity of the church.
When the church was rebuilt in the 18th century the entrance on the south wall had been replaced by the west door entrance by which you have entered. This, and the windows, each had to be lowered.
The priests’ board lists the clergy who have led the worship in this place since its licensing in the 15th century and also significant dates in our church’s history.
The first priest, Richard Mascy, was a nephew of Hamlet Mascy, who had endowed money to be paid to “an honest chaplain” who would offer masses for his soul and those of his family.
Another of our priests, Henry Atherton, refused to sign and adhere to edicts issued by the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, in the 17th century but remained in post – and therefore he was not ejected along with other men of the cloth on the Restoration.
You will also notice in the list of our clergy in the 18th century the name John Collier. The curate, who was also head of our Church of England school which had been built on the land near the sacristy. John’s youngest son, also John, adopted in adulthood the pen name Tim Bobbin and achieved fame as a Lancashire dialect writer.
Our present curate in charge, the Rev. Pat Gray, is the only woman yet to appear on our list.
This board is dedicated to the memory of Albert and Bertha Houghton who in the last century moved to the village from Manchester and became faithful parishioners.
Another plaque on the north wall records the bequest of William Cawley in 1886 for £300 for the wardens’ account.
Among those who have preached in this church in recent years are the Right Rev David Hope, former Archbishop of York, and the Right Rev David Sheppard, former Bishop of
Liverpool.
The prayer desk, along with the lectern now located in the chancel, and the pulpit, were all installed in our church in 1921.
At the same time, the stained glass window you see in the south wall was removed to there from its position above the altar. This was done to accommodate a new altar with a tabernacle. This window was given in memory of the Cawley family in the 19th century.
The altar was installed in memory of our village’s fallen in the First World War. Their names are now complemented by our villagers who gave their lives in the Second World War.
In keeping with new liturgical thinking in 1972 the altar was moved forward and the tabernacle removed.
A superb candelabra was hung over the chancel in 1778 but this was presented to our mother church, St Elphin in Warrington, in 1947. It can still be seen in the Lady Chapel – above the crypt of our founder, Hamlet Mascy.
However, you can see that we do possess three splendid chandeliers, each of which were given in memory of faithful parishioners.
The beautiful sanctuary light was refurbished during the autumn of 2007 thanks to the generosity of the Rainford family and its new pulley was given by Ray and Beryl Shaw to mark their golden wedding anniversary.
The present window in the east wall, depicting the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, and also the reredos, will become part of our heritage many years from now. They were each obtained from redundant churches in the 1970s.
The pipe organ is a superb example of its type and would cost in excess of a quarter of a million pounds to install today. It has been completely renovated in recent years at a cost of more than £10,000.
If you walk beyond the organ you enter Church House which plays a special part in the history of St Helen’s. We are uncertain when it was built but you can see from the roof timbers that they were rough hewn in the manner of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Over the years, the building has been used as a home – particularly for the chantry priests and the heads of the day school - a shop and a bakery and also as a charnel house.
Its most famous residents however were the Byrom family. John Byrom of that ilk (1692-1763) wrote the words of the famous carol Christians Awake! which is invariably played at our Christmas services.
In time, part of the upper storey was removed to create a larger main hall. The two rooms that remain are used by the Sunday School and our Out of School Club.
In the choir vestry you can see an incised stone bearing the Creed dating from the 18th century.
In the corridor into Church House you can see tithe maps which illustrate the layout of our parish in the 19th century.
Church House has been completely redecorated inside and out during the past year.]
The churchyard was closed in 1900 and burials now take place in the public cemetery nearby or in the Garden of Rest.
A feature of the grounds is a noticeboard that tells visitors details of the various walks that can be enjoyed in the village.
We hope you enjoyed your tour – and come back soon!
Population: 1800
St Helen Newsletter
Our magazine accepts advertising, contact us for details
For Genealogical Enquiries the local Diocesan Record Office is:
Cheshire County Council, Chester
Friends of St Helen History Room, Church House, Hollinfare
For Parish enquiries please contact:
HOLLINFARE St HELEN
Parish number 794
TO CONTACT US CALL…
Rev Pat Gray 01942 603161
Raymond Shaw 0161 775 3374
Edward Alan Domville 0161 775 9360
Or write to Curate in charge Rev Pat Gray
10 Hesnall Close
Glazebury
Warrington
WA3 5PB.
Or email to Pat.gray@virgin.net
Or e.domville@btinternet.com
WHO’S WHO AT ST HELEN, HOLLINFARE
THE CLERGY
VICAR: Living vacant
CURATE-IN-CHARGE: Rev Pat Gray
PATRON: Canon Michael Finlay
CHURCHWARDENS
Raymond Shaw
Alan Domville
OFFICIALS
SECRETARY Veronia Prowting
TREASURER Raymond Shaw
COVENANT SECRETARY Alan Domville
ELECTORAL ROLL OFFICER Beryl Shaw
SACRISTANS
Colin Lowndes
Susan Lowndes
BISHOP’S LICENCE TO ASSIST AT HOLY COMMUNION
Alan Domville
Colin Lowndes
Susan Lowndes
Brenda Earl
David Dronsfield
Irene Collins
CRUCIFER David Dronsfield
VERGER Julie Givvons
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Chair : Living Vacant
Rev Pat Gray
Raymond Shaw
Alan Domville
Veronia Prowting
Beryl Shaw
Janet Barcroft
Jim Hall
Shirley Hall
Pauline Hardman
Susan Lowndes
Brenda Earl
Muriel Berry
Irene Collins
David Dronsfield
Christine Smith (ex officio)
STANDING COMMITTEE
Living Vacant
Rev Pat Gray
Raymond Shaw
Alan Domville
Veronia Prowting
Jim Hall
FINANCE GROUP
Rev Pat Gray
Raymond Shaw
Alan Domville
BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE
Raymond Shaw
Alan Domville
FIRE OFFICER Alan Domville
DEPUTY FIRE OFFICER Raymond Shaw
HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER Colin Lowndes
SIDESPERSONS
Members of the Church Council
Irene Domville
Colin Lowndes
YOUTH WORK
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Alan Domville
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT Kathleen Lee
TEACHER Linda Barton
UNDER 18s CO-ORDINATOR Alan Domville
UNDER 18s INDEPENDENT OFFICER Debbie Williams
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY Alan Domville
CHURCH MUSIC
HEAD OF MUSIC Janet Barcroft
ORGANIST Janet Barcroft
DEPUTY ORGANIST Irene Domville
CHOIR
Veronia Prowting
Mary Williams
Christine Baguley
Muriel Berry
Margaret Hornby
Doreen Herridge
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Chair: Veronia Prowting
Janet Barcroft
Alan Domville
Shirley Hall
Brenda Earl
Pauline Hardman
Irene Collins
Joan Hill
LESSON READERS
Raymond Shaw
Brenda Earl
Doreen Herridge
Elizabeth Rainford
Megan Rainford
Lawrence Rainford
David Dronsfield
CHURCH CLEANERS
Raymond and Beryl Shaw
Janet Barcroft and Veronia Prowting
Jim and Shirley Hall
Irene Domville and Alan Domville
CHURCH LINEN Irene Domville
CHURCH FLOWERS
Marjorie Green
Beryl Shaw
PARISH MAGAZINE EDITOR Veronia Prowting
VULNERABLE PERSONS OFFICER Margaret Hornby
WEBSITE OFFICER Linda Barton
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
Alan Domville
Linda Barton
FRIENDS OF ST HELEN’S
CHAIRMAN Ken Baglee
DEPUTY CHAIR Alan Domville
TREASURER Raymond Shaw
SECRETARY Virginia Baglee
COMMITTEE
Marion Ainscough
Muriel Berry
Ted Brogan
Sandra Brogan
Joan Hill
Raymond Jeffrey
Susan Lowndes
Beryl Shaw
RETAINED EXPERTISE
ARCHITECT Anthony Grimshaw Associates
ELECTRICAL Ian Webster
HEATING James Challoner
DECORATING Philip Webster
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Raymond Jeffrey
REPRESENTATIVES
WINWICK DEANERY SYNOD
Raymond Shaw
Beryl Shaw
WINWICK EAST DEANERY COUNCIL
Living vacant
Rev Pat Gray
Raymond Shaw
Beryl Shaw
Alan Domville
LIVERPOOL CATHEDRAL Alan Domville
COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE Alan Domville
DEANERY SUNDAY SCHOOL GROUP
Alan Domville
Kathleen Lee
VILLAGE COMMUNITY HALL Margaret Hornby
WARRINGTON EDUCATIONAL TRUST Vacant
AFFILIATIONS
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY Alan Domville
ENTRUST Alan Domville
HISTORICAL CHURCHES TRUST Alan Domville
ROYAL SCHOOL OF MUSIC Janet Barcroft
HOLLINS GREEN St HELEN CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
GOVERNING BODY
FOUNDATION GOVERNORS
CHAIRMAN, TREASURER Alan Domville
VICE CHAIRMAN, DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE Raymond Shaw
Rev Pat Gray
Veronia Prowting
Christian Givvons
Susan Lowndes
WARRINGTON EDUCATIONAL TRUST REPRESENTATIVES
Vacant
SCHOOL GOVERNORS
HEAD TEACHER Christine Smith
TEACHERS’ REPRESENTATIVE Sarah Gorman
STAFF REPREPRESENTATIVE Karen Bradbury
PARENT GOVERNORS Colette Fairfax
Stephen Boland
LEA REPRESENTATIVE Angela Burton
STEERING COMMITTEE
Alan Domville
Raymond Shaw
Christine Smith
Chairs of committees
FINANCE AND RESOURCES
Chairman Alan Domville
Secretary Colette Fairfax
Steve Boland
Angela Burton
Veronia Prowting
Ray Shaw
Christine Smith
Kathleen Erskine
CURRICULUM AND SAFEGUARDING
Chairman Stephen Boland
Colette Fairfax
Christian Givvons
Sarah Gorman
Rev Pat Gray
Susan Lowndes
Veronia Prowting
Christine Smith
Observer Kathleen Erskine
BUILDING AND HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chairman Raymond Shaw
Christian Givvons
Sarah Gorman
Susan Lowndes
Christine Smith
ADMISSIONS AND MARKETING
Chairman Alan Domville
Secretary Colette Fairfax
Christian Givvons
Rev Pat Gray
Ray Shaw
Christine Smith
STAFF DISMISSAL AND REDUNDANCY
Colette Fairfax
Angela Burton
STAFF DISMISSAL APPEALS
Stephen Boland
Veronia Prowting
Christian Givvons
Raymond Shaw
Susan Lowndes
COMPLAINTS PANEL
Rev Pat Gray
Christian Givvons
Angela Burton
Raymond Shaw
PUPIL DISCIPLINARY
Raymond Shaw
Christian Givvons
Susan Lowndes
GOVERNORS WITH SPECIFIC RESPONSBILITIES
Primary Strategy, Literacy Stephen Boland
Primary Strategy, Numeracy Susan Lowndes
Special Needs Veronia Prowting
Traning and Support Link Raymond Shaw
Child Protection Christian Givvons
Gifted and Talented Colette Fairfax
Equality and Diversity Rev Pat Gray
Early Years Colette Fairfax
Health and Safety Raymond Shaw
PERFORMANCE REVIEW PANEL
Alan Domville
Raymond Shaw
REVIEW OFFICER
Stephen Boland
LINK ADVISOR Avril Topping
SIP David Littlewood
MINUTES CLERK Lisa Adams
UNOFFICIAL FUNDS TREASURER Jean Rochford
HEAD TEACHER Christine Smith
DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER, HEAD KS2 Kathleen Erskine
KS2 Sarah Gorman/Katy Brow
Donna Lloyd
HEAD KS1 Jeanette Hutchinson
KS1 Nicola Morris
PART-TIME Ruth Rawlinson
B Cheded
Janice Moss
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Karen Bradbury
Sara Davies
Gemma Gill
LEARNING SUPPORT
Veronia Prowting
Trevor King
Caroline Doran
Bill Dulson
Carol Ballantyne
LANGUAGE CLUB
Vacant
SECRETARIAT
Elizabeth Cobley
Jean Rochford
SCHOOL MEALS
COOK Vacant
ASSISTANTS
Ann Chisnall
Sheila Ryan
J Grindley
CARETAKER Allan Aldred
CLEANER A Harmston
ARCHITECT Cunliffes of Liverpool
FRIENDS OF St HELEN’S SCHOOL
CHAIR Joanne Shaw
SECRETARY Colette Fairfax
TREASURER Carol Ridge
COMMITTEE
Jeff Percival
Christine Smith
Debbie Williams
Susan Lowndes
Susan Thomason
Julie Atkinson
Joanne Davies
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