St Paul's Church, Helsby

St Paul’s Church stands in the village of Helsby, Cheshire, built of yellow sandstone quarried nearby. The architect was John Douglas of Chester, who designed the nave between 1868 and 1870. In 1909 Douglas and Minshull added the south aisle and chapel. The church follows Early English style with lancet windows and a slate spire over the west end. A five-bay nave, transepts and an apsidal chancel form the plan. The churchyard contains two Grade II listed structures. A lychgate of 1911 frames the entrance with oak and a green slate roof. Nearby is a 1920 war memorial carved as a Celtic cross with vine patterns and names of those lost in both World Wars. A Second World War soldier’s grave lies east of the church. Inside, the nave’s five bays are lit by simple lancets. The south aisle and chapel extend the space added in 1909. The chancel ends in a polygonal apse, typical of Early English design. The stonework and slate roofs give the building a quiet harmony with its surroundings.