The Chancel - Limestone

Dolomitic limestone used in the plinth at St. Helen's church

Looking at the construction history of St. Helen’s church - through the eyes of a geologist - general phases of building and repair can be identified from variations in the physical characteristics of the Rotherham Red sandstone masonry.

Various styles of window design

A study of the mouldings and tracery of the windows provide the archaeologist with clues that allow more precise dating; three of the four windows are constructed in dolomitic limestone, which appear to be original - the fourth has been renewed in oolitic limestone, as seen in the Victorian restoration to other parts of the church. 

A detail of the priest's door

The current guide to St. Helen's church dates the east elevation of the chancel as being early 14th century, with the south and north elevations being of late 13th century; however, it doesn't provide much more detail. 

Although I am not an expert in dating window tracery, my observation is that the decay of the simple 2 light windows appears to be slightly more advanced than that seen in the 3 light window to the east elevation.

The dolomitic limestone itself is identical to that used in the chamfered plinth course, which runs seamlessly around the chancel and, together with the priest's door, forms the oldest part of the structure. 

From this evidence, a good network for the supply of dolomitic limestone from at least 5 miles away must have been established well before the raising of the church tower.