St Helen's Church, Selston is a parish church in the Church of England in the village of Selston, Nottinghamshire. It is part of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.
The church is a Grade II* listed building due to its significant medieval architecture and historical importance to the region.
History The church dates back to the medieval period, though it underwent a major restoration in 1899 which included the addition of a north aisle.
The site may have pre-Christian significance; a monolith located in the churchyard is similar to those found in Derbyshire stone circles, suggesting the site was used for worship before the current church was built. The churchyard is also the resting place of Daniel Boswell, known as the "King of the Gypsies."Churches in the Ashfield Area. Ashfield District Council
Parish and daughter churches St Helen's serves as the parish church for Selston and has a daughter church, St Mary's Church, Westwood.
Organ The church houses an organ built by Henry Groves in 2010. A full specification of the instrument is maintained by the National Pipe Organ Register.
List of incumbents The following is a list of the vicars and incumbents of St Helen's. Before 1344, the church was led by Rectors; after the church was appropriated by Beauvale Priory, the church was served by Vicars.
Year Name Notes 1176 Adam Earliest recorded incumbent. 1244 Roger del Clay 1252 Verasour de Wansley Also known as John le Vavasur; served as Rector for 35 years. 1287 John de Gateyford 1290 Robert de Gateyford 1310 Thomas de Hothum 1321 William de Ilkeston 1322 John de Kendale 1324 William de Leston 1339 William de Ros 1344 John Dell Hill de Panvil The first Vicar, following the church's grant to Beauvale Priory. 1344 John de Arnale 1363 John Sheperly 1363 Henry Barton 1434 John Eyswayte 1434 Richard Twigge 1446 Richard Holt 1456 John Day 1483 John Derman 1490 John Wilson 1525 Rd. Martyn Served prior to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. 1550 Nicholas Walker 1575 Thomas Taylor 1605 Thomas Mylner 1611 George Longden 1614 Peter Parote 1615 Franc Stephenson 1621 William Williamson 1624 Thomas Bowcher 1631 Henry Denham 1650 Samuel Sildon 1653 Charles Jackson Ejected in 1662 following the Act of Uniformity 1662. 1662 William Pearson 1669 Nicholas Sore 1669 Robert Hettcliffe 1713 J. Cooper Had served as Curate since 1699. 1754 Anthony Carr 1805 I. Pepper 1838 F. Churchill 1843 J. Hides 1855 George Frederick Williamson 1856 Robert John William Wright 1887 Charles Harrison Oversaw the major Victorian restoration of the church in 1899. 1916 Richard Dudley Weller 1924 Philip H. Hart 1929 Palmer Allison Sharp 1936 Henry Wright Schofield 1945 Edward Frederick H. Dunnicliffe Previously Vicar of All Saints' Church, Nottingham. 1949 Hugh Bickersteth Biddell 1956 Gerald Nettleton Pearce 1962 Hubert Victor Simmons 1978 John Frederick Jacklin 1996 Robert White Yule 2001 Timothy Mitchell 2006 Fiona Shouler First female incumbent of the parish. 2023 Dr Lee Gordon See also Grade II* listed buildings in Nottinghamshire Listed buildings in Selston
References
External links
Official Parish Website