NHER 2933 (Building record) - St Helen's Church, Gateley

November 1978. Visit.
R. R. Clarke (NCM) noted that Roman tiles were alleged in a round headed arch on south side nave (by (S1) and (S2) etc) but that he had investigated them on 28 June 1950 and found them to be late medieval. This is very odd, as the arch mentioned is an Late Saxon doorway of ironbound conglomerate blocked by southwest buttress, no external trace of tiles: interior inaccessible at time of visit, but through windows arch seemed not to be visible on inside; perhaps plastered over since. Conglomerate courses in south wall, and blocks reused elsewhere. Present north and south doorways of around 1300. Nave and tower Perpendicular; two shields on southwest buttress. Tower has rectangular vice, belfry windows part blocked. Later battlements. Perpendicular south porch with three niches, central one with pedestal. Arch braced nave roof. Chancel of 1866. Base of screen around 1500 with painted saints. Carved bench ends and back boards. 17th century communion rail. Consecration cross painted by north door. Large monument of 1803 (all seen through windows). Chalice and paten cover 1703; chalice 1731: paten 1768. Good gravestones.
E. Rose (NAU), 23 November 1978.

V&A has paintings of the screen made in 19th century by Hamlet Watling, the Suffolk painter of antiquities.
Information from (S3) in (S4).