St Helens Church, St Helens, Isle of Wight
St Helens, Eddington Road, St Helens, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1UH
St Helen’s Church, St Helens, is a parish church with exceptionally deep roots — the site is associated with Bishop Wilfrid’s arrival on the Isle of Wight in 704 AD, making it one of the oldest Christian sites on the island. The Cluniac Priory of St Helens was founded here after the Norman Conquest, and the church was rebuilt in the 12th century to serve both the parish and the priory. The priory was dissolved in 1414, and Henry VI subsequently granted its lands to Eton College, which held them until 1799. By the 18th century the original church had become so ruinous that a new church was built further inland and consecrated in 1719; in 1820 most of the building was rebuilt at a cost of £500. The present church is a stone structure with brick dressings, comprising an aisleless nave with transepts, a chancel and a west tower. The old church tower, abandoned when the present church was built, still stands on the beach at St Helens Duver and is used as a seamark — it is believed that Admiral Lord Nelson’s last view of England was of this tower as HMS Victory anchored nearby before sailing to the Battle of Trafalgar. St Helen’s is Grade II listed for its architectural and historic interest.
Timings
- Friday 11 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Saturday 12 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Sunday 13 September:
- 09:30 Sung Eucharist
- Monday 14 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Tuesday 15 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Wednesday 16 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Thursday 17 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Friday 18 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Saturday 19 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
- Sunday 20 September:
- 11:00 to 15:00
Location & directions
St Helens, Eddington Road, St Helens, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1UH
- Directions:
- From Ryde travel towards Seaview heading through Nettlestone and the church can be found on Eddington Road before you reach St Helens.
- Contact on day:
- Rev’d Karen Wilson
- Telephone number:
- +447591240640
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Disabled parking and access from the main carpark to the rear.
Additional information
St Helen’s Church is part of the Haven Benefice, which also includes St Peter’s Seaview, St Mary the Virgin Brading, and St John the Baptist Yaverland, in the Diocese of Portsmouth. The churchyard features a labyrinth, and the church hosts a range of community events and activities. Visitors are welcome to explore the building, its history and the historic churchyard during Heritage Open Days.
