Bourn, St Helena and St Mary

Bourn boasts a 12th century nave and aisles with pointed arches and alternating circular and octagonal piers topped by round clerestory windows with quatrefoil glass within. The tower is mid 13th century with magnificent external blind arcading and angle buttresses, whilst the north and south chapels and chancel are 14th century; they have later, (16th century), windows now. There is a double niche and blocked doorway to a rood screen in the north chapel and in the south chapel, with its raised floor over a crypt, a tri-partite sedilia with a piscina beyond. There were restorations in 1875-6 and 1912 too. Whilst the Chancel roof is original, the angels have been added. The nave/ chancel arch has been widened and now sits on a corbelled springing concealed from the nave by a plain Chancel screen. The choir stalls with their poppy-heads have an inscription on one; “P of BA 1537”. The stain glassed windows, by Ninian Comper, depicts in the East window, Christ in Glory with the Saints – Mary and Helena each side, whilst in the north wall of the N chapel – the Annunciation.