Switch to the new St Helen's site

1210

The Dean and Chapter of St Paul's give permission for a certain William to establish a nunnery in the grounds of the Priory church of St Helen of the Benedictine Order.

The nunnery is built to the north of the existing church, and a new church built for the nuns to use, immediately alongside the older church.

The new church is four feet wider than the parish church, and longer too. So the parish church is lengthened to match. This explains the unusual shape of the present St Helen's church building.

A line of arches and a screen separates the Nuns' Choir and the Parish Church.

1480

The four great arches, which dominate the building today, date from this time. The roof design also dates from this era, although the actual timber is more recent.

1538

The nunnery is surrendered to King Henry VIII, along with all the religious houses in England.

1543

The Leathersellers' Company acquires the convent buildings and land to the north of the church.

The Nuns' Choir becomes part of the parish church, and once the screen is removed from between the Nuns' Choir and the main body of the church, the building is as we see it today.

1799

The last convent buildings are demolished.

1922

Excavations uncover the extensive foundations, and beneath them traces of an earlier apse.