IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Mulberry Close, DN21 5FH

A Perpendicular tower and Decorated north aisle, much restored by Pearson in the 19th century. Cromwell reputedly stabled his horses in the church before the Battle of Lea on July 28th 1643.

The parish church of Lea is on a slight hill above the road.

On the south face of the church tower is a cut bench mark with bolt dating from the primary levelling of a survey line from London to Doncaster in 1848-51. See http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5245734 for a wider view and http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm30199 for details of the mark.

On the south face of the church tower is a cut bench mark with bolt dating from the primary levelling of a survey line from London to Doncaster in 1848-51. See http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5245737 for a close-up and http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm30199 for details of the mark.

Enigmatic font in St.Helen's church, the information board in the church says the old font was destroyed and this one dates from 1831 .... but it looks 14th century to me !

Grade I Listed church. Of the first Church, little is known except that it was Early English in Architecture. Of the restored Church handed down to us, the Chancel and Nave appear to be the oldest parts; while the North Aisle dates from 1380 and the Tower from about 1500. In 1849, Sir Charles Anderson was responsible for a major restoration of the Church carried out under the direction of Pearson, the famous architect who later designed Truro Cathedral. The painted pews were removed and replaced by oak ones; the mural monuments were transferred from the Chancel to the North Aisle; a new Chancel Arch, Organ Chamber and South Porch were built. The Church Registers date from 1572. Charlotte, Lady Nelthorpe gave the Clock with quarter chimes in 1814 and it was restored in 1985. The Tower dates from the early 15th Century. In 1553 it contained three bells. Early in the 19th Century, the heaviest of these was sold to Willingham and the remaining two were re-cast into four smaller bells by Harrison, a bell-founder of Barton. In 1882 two more bells were added. In 1935 the bells were re-tuned, quarter turned, and re-hung on a cast iron H. & A. frame by Taylors of Loughborough. The ringing chamber was raised in 1953 to its present position which allowed the ground floor of the Tower to be made into a Choir Vestry. In 1814 Lady Anderson gave an Organ but the Organ you see today, was bought by subscription and opened by Dr. W.H. Monk, organist of York Minster and composer of many hymn tunes, on 30th May 1875. Saint Helen (Helena) was born in Bithynia, later to be known as Helenopolis. The Patronal Feast Day is 18th August.