1. The inscriptions are on the waists of the bells.
2. On the sides of the bells opposite to the inscriptions are:
   • the bell number in the inscription band but the tenor has instead the words “LAUS DEO”,
   • a border just below the inscription band denoting that the bell is cast to Gillett & Johnston profiles,
   • then: WHITES OF APPLETON
     CHURCH BELLHANGERS
   • then the Whitechapel foundry mark: 20 [Mark] 05
     WHITECHAPELThe tenor has the bell number (10) just above the mark.

Bells 1 - 6, all with headstocks: front row, 6 & 5; behind them and to the right, 4 & 3; behind them, 1 & 2. ©KMC 14 Mar 2006	Front of bell 2 showing the inscription ©KMC 14 Mar 2006
The back of the tenor; note the “LAUS DEO” in the inscription band, the bell number above the founder’s mark and the additional border above the sound bow. ©KMC 14 Mar 2006	The back of bell 7; note here the founder’s mark and the “Gillett & Johnston” border just below the inscription band ©KMC 14 Mar 2006

Info taken from their website dated October 2003.
A ring of eight bells was cast by Lester & Pack of Whitechapel, London, in 1764. Four of these survive. In 1885 Mears and Stainbank augmented the bells to ten with two trebles, recasting the present fifth, ninth and tenor at the same time. The Bells were rehung in 1961 by F. White of Appleton. The seventh was recast in 1970 by the Whitechapel Bellfoundry. The Bells hang in a two-tier timber frame, the 2nd and 3rd being above the remaining eight.

upper tier of trebles ©KMC 18 Jul 2002

lower tier of remaining 8 bells ©KMC 18 Jul 2002

The 9th and Tenor are hung on hollow-section cast-iron headstocks and the remainder are on timber stocks. All swing on ball-bearings.

1. Further historical details can be found in F.Sharpe, The Church bells of Berkshire
   
2. Dove gave the note of the Tenor as E.
3. According to Whites of Appleton Ltd web site, the weight of the old tenor was 19-0-24.
4. Prior to 1764 there were six bells, slightly larger than the present major six. They were recast by Messrs. Lester and Pack of the Whitechapel foundry, London, in that year, into a ring of eight. Five of the eight remain as the present 3^rd, 4^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th. The present treble and 2 were added in 1885 by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank of Whitechapel, who, at the same time, recast the present 5^th , 9^th and tenor.

From a church leaflet by the Rector, the Revd. Michael Goode.

The church of St. Helen has been in a state of almost continuous change for over 1000 years. There has been continuous Christian worship here since before 995 AD. At present there is a major new development in the church.

Near to the font is the site of the original sanctuary of the Saxon church. The present marble font was carved in 1851. the cover is C 17^th. The stained glass window behind picks up the baptismal theme.

John Roysse, who founded the Abingdon School in 1536, has a tomb in the church. There is also the painted family tree of Mayor William Lee who died aged 92 in 1637 leaving no fewer than 197 descendants.

The whole of the Lady Chapel was added by the Guild of Our Lady in the C 14^th. The chapel contains the unique mediæval ceiling from 1391. The reredos and altar by Bodley and the modern tapestry reflect the legend of St Helen's discovery of the True Cross.

The Sacrament chapel is adjacent to the Lady Chapel and reflects the Gothic Revival style of the C 19^th. The carved reredos is by Bodley (1879).

In front of the wooden chancel screen by Woodyer, 1837, there is a new sanctuary with under-floor heating. It is tiled with material from the 1830s which was lifted from the previous floor. The pulpit is from 1636 and the candelabra from C18th. St. Helen's has always played an important civic role and this is reflected in the existence of the gold town Mace and Mayor's Pew.

The organ case is a special treasure and dates from 1727.

The stained glass is Victorian and one window depicts the Women of the Bible.

The South aisle was added in 1539 by Katherine Audlett. She was the widow of John Audlett, the last steward of the Benedictine Abbey which was dissolved by Henry VIII at this time.

The church is said to be the second widest parish church in the country. It is made up of five aisles, which in fact are five churches under one roof!

The Tower dates from about 1200 and the spire was added in the C 15^th. On three sides of the churchyard are attractive Almshouses.

New Years' Day 2003 Branch ringing in St. Helen's ringing Chamber. ©KMC 1 Jan 2003

Ringers’ lunch in St. Helen’s Church Hall Abingdon on New Year’s Day 2003 following ringing. We had home made soup and dessert - a fund raising effort for bell restoration. ©KMC 1 Jan 2003

• One of Simon Jenkins 1000 best churches
• Has five aisles, a painted mediæval ceiling and an organ restored in 2004