Saint Helen’s Kirk (Again).

We made a return visit to Abingdon, by a different route, to collect the scarf that Sis had dropped the other day at The Nag’s Head and we included a walk past of some of the older portions of the town. So the Blip is of the other side of the church while the extra is of one of the adjacent alms-houses built in 1446. Some years later, on these premises, three aged men and three aged women were provided with the necessities of life by the generosity of philanthropist Charles Twitty who donated £1,700 in 1707, these funds were augmented with £200 from John Bedwell in 1799 and a further £200 from Samuel Cripps in 1819. The six worthy souls were selected from the poor but industrious, pious and honest citizens of the burgh. There are two other alms-houses by the church and they are now all used as sheltered accommodation.
 
It strikes me as very progressive to name a church after a female saint, particularly in those distant times and it was a pity that it was locked; I understand that it’s painted ceiling is well worth a close inspection.

I've just posted last Friday's , "The Welcome."