Church of St Helen

About

St Helen's Church is the parish church of Bilton-in-Ainsty, a village west of York in North Yorkshire, in England. Although no church in the village is mentioned in the Domesday Book, the various Saxon fragments incorporated in the current building suggest that there was a previous church on the site. The current church was built in about 1150 by the Haget family. In 1160, its advowson was granted to Syningthwaite Priory, then in 1293 it became a prebendary of York Minster. In the first half of the 13th century, north and south aisles were added to the nave, and in the 15th century, these were extended along the chancel. More new windows were inserted in the 17th century, and the porch door is dated 1633.

It is claimed that the church served as a military hospital following the Battle of Marston Moor, in 1644. A satirical carving of a crowned snake, in the church door, has been attributed to a Royalist officer held prisoner in the building. From 1869 to 1871, the church was restored by George Gilbert Scott, who removed a west gallery, replaced the pews, and found parts of various early crosses buried in the churchyard. The church was Grade I listed in 1966.