St. Helen's Church
Community Development
Funding will be used to install a new toilet, making the church a better venue for concerts. We also want to install a kitchen.
About this cause
St. Helen's church is a grade 1 listed building and is the only place of worship left in the village. The church has a priceless Romanesque Cross of St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, the First Christian Roman Emperor. We serve the community for baptisms, weddings and laying loved ones to rest. We are working to restore this building for future generations and also to install a toilet and kitchen, so we can continue with choir concerts and coffee mornings. The school children also come for Easter, Harvest and Christmas services, including History and Art lessons. The Poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning was Baptised in the church in the font we use today. We celebrate her life every June with songs, readings and sketches, which is supported by the local and wider community.
How this cause brings people in the community together
Kelloe is a small ex-mining village. Feedback after our concerts, etc, is that we should have more; but we are restricted with our facilities. Installing the kitchen and toilet will make it more attractive for future community use.