Back to results

St Helena's Church Austerfield

High Street, Austerfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 6QU

  • 17 Sep 2025
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

St Helena's is an 11th century Norman church with a rare Sheela-na-Gig and a wonderful Tympanum. It has strong links with the Mayflower Pilgrim Fathers. A talk on the pilgrims will begin at 2pm.

St Helena's was founded in 1080 by John de Buisli who was given the use of Tickhill Castle by William the Conqueror. It was built with limestone manganese from the Roach Abbey quarries some 10 miles away. The present building is on the site of a Saxon church which had links with the Austerfield Synod of 702AD which settled the manner in which the date of Easter is to be calculated.
William Bradford lived in the village, being brought up with his yeoman farmer uncles, from a baby until the age of sixteen. He then left England with the Separatists and set sail for Leiden in Holland. In 1620 he set sail with others for the New World with the blessing of King James V1 on the Mayflower. He became the second Governor of New Plymouth and was instrumental in putting together the basis of the American Constitution.
Maggy Watkins from Pilgrim Tours will be speaking at the event from 2pm.
St Helena's is a silver award Eco church with a tranquil wildlife garden to the rear. Visitors are very welcome to tarry a while.

Timings & Tours

Wednesday 17 September:
1pm to 3.30pm

Location & directions

High Street, Austerfield, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN10 6QU

Directions:
Opposite Keith Ashton Monumental Stone Mason on the High Street. Bunting on the church railings will guide you up the church path, passed the weeping beech tree to the church door.
Contact on day:
Kay Beckett
Telephone number:
+447507334330

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Car parking is very limited but may be available in the lay-by outside the church grounds. Please do not park in front of the farmer's gate. Toilets accessible at the Mayflower pub 5 minutes walk from the church

Additional information

There are no toilets on the church site. However the Mayflower pub is close by which has toilet facilities, good food, indoor and outdoor seating and a large car park behind the pub.

Back to results