Give Hemsworth A Building to Last

Hemsworth has altered almost beyond recognition in the last 50 years, many of you will have seen these changes – some good, some not so good. The loss of many of its historic buildings over the years has made Hemsworth seem a very different place from that remembered by our grandparents. More changes are on the horizon, with a new Tesco supermarket and the new school in the offing and the Library set to be replaced by a new modern one. Hemsworth’s landscape is set to change yet again but at its very heart there remains a living, vibrant link between past and future – your parish church. This lovely building has been valued by every generation and now it needs your help. In the throw away society in which we live, let us not lose our most historic building through lack of care and maintenance.

S Helens Needs Your Help

Your parish church is dedicated to S Helen, mother of Constantine the Great.  We do not know when it was first built but a reference to 'William, Priest of Hemsworth, occurs in local documents dated about 1200 AD so we do know that a church has been at the heart of our town for over eight hundred years. 

The regular congregation’s generosity enables us to keep the church doors open, but a building of this age requires constant work to keep it in repair. Much needs to be done to provide facilities we take for granted in the 21st century. We want to bring the building up to date whilst maintaining the beauty and character it has provided us with for centuries.

The works which are required at the church to meet modern standards and to bring old original features back to pristine and safe condition are the following:-   

• Disabled access 
• Rewiring & Lighting
• Maintenance to the Roof
• Kitchen and Toilet facilities

We have launched an appeal to raise £185,000 over the next 2 years for the necessary work to be carried out. Please help us in anyway you can to keep this beautiful church open and to give it a future. Let’s keep something of the past in Hemsworth and give your church every opportunity to see another 800 years in our community. This will benefit us, our children and our children’s children. 

S Helen’s Church is your church. It belongs to the community of Hemsworth and its doors are always open and welcoming to all who visit. It is yours to use for happy occasions and for sad. It there for you for weddings, for baptisms and for funerals.  It will always be there for you when you are in need of it. It needs you now so please try and help us. 

The centre of Hemsworth would not be the same without this beautiful church. If you feel you can help us in anyway either by fundraising or by giving a donation please contact

Restoration & Renewal Appeal
c/o Fr Robert Hart
The Rectory
Church Close
Hemsworth
WF9 4SJ

or you can make a secure donation via PayPal by clicking the button below:

 

Appeal Latest

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The work on the roofs, masonry and rainwater goods is progressing nicely.  All being well the reslating of the South aisle should begin shortly.

A huge “well done” to our school children who have raised £287.97 from their “Bring a penny to spend a penny” collection.  We have also received grants of £3,000 from Headley Trust and £2,000 from The Fr Martin Trust. This means we have now raised about £123,000 towards are £200,000 target.  Keep up the good work !!

 

 

National Churches Trust
Now is a good time for anyone who is passionate about churches, chapels and meeting houses to join as a Friend or donate to the National Churches Trust.
The National Churches Trust was launched in 2007 as the only national, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting places of worship used by Christian denominations throughout the UK. The Trust promotes the use of these buildings by congregations and the wider community - underlying their importance to society. The Trust advocates the conservation of places of worship of historic value for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

How you can help
· The trust receives no financial aid from government or church authorities. You can help by joining as a Friend from as little as £20 a year. The Friends’ Scheme is in development. The more people that join, the stronger our voice will be. Information is available on our website or by telephone.
· We are developing our Volunteers’ Programme. If you are interested in giving some time to help us please contact us.
· Make a donation online at our website via your credit card using the ‘Give now’ secure facilities provided by the Charities Aid Foundation, which enables you to increase the value of your git, at no extra cost to yourself, if you are a UK taxpayer.
· If you would like to consider remembering us in your will, please contact the office to ask about legacies, or visit our website.

National Churches Trust
Tel: 020 7600 6090
www.nationalchurchestrust.org

Further information is available at the back of church.  Another condition of the grant is that at least five members of the congregation join as friends of the trust for a minimum of three years.  To become a Friend, please see Margaret Hyde who has the necessary forms.

 

Click here for at report in the Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express regarding the English Heritage grant.