The records of the early days of Little Ribston
Church are very scanty. The Church is listed in the Ripon
Diocesan records as a Mission Room in the parish of Spofforth, and
that is no doubt how it started. The lintel of the west door
bears the date 1860. The rector of Spofforth at that time was
the Rev'd James Tripp (1847-1879).
The building now known as St Helen's Church was
provided by the generosity of Mr Joseph Dent of Ribston Hall. It
had been a carpenter's shop. Mr Dent added a western porch in
the Tudor style, inserted pleasant lattice windows and panelled the
lower walls of the main room in pinewood panelling, said to have
been brought from Ribston Hall. The organ was a gift from
Miss Dent in 1912. The room at the east of the building was
designed as a village reading room and was so used for many
years. A parish magazine of 1897 tells us that the reading
room was open "every weekday evening (save Saturday)", and that the
secretary was Mr W Cawood, who was also
Churchwarden.
The Church is consecrated to St Helen, the
mother of Constantine the Great who granted tolerance to
Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. There is a well
near St Helen's Farm which is reputed to have had connections with
this saint during Roman times.
The organist from 1914-1969 was Mr George Ernest
Dalby. His successor, Mrs Barbara Goulton still continues in
this office. Mr William Hill served as Churchwarden from
1919-1929 and was succeeded by Mrs Julia Dalby (wife of the
organist). Mrs Della Bennett took over from Mrs Dalby in 1966
and held the position for a number of years.
Alterations were carried out in 1960, the
Centenary year, together with the provision of new
furnishings. An English Oak Altar Table designed and made by
Thompson of Kilburn replaced the old Altar Table. The Altar
was furnished with a linen cloth worked by Mrs E Shepherd, since
replaced by one worked by Mrs Bennett. Two Oak candlesticks
were given by Mr F C King and made by Thompson of Kilburn. A
dorsal curtain of tapestry was erected behind the Altar. A
new Altar Book was given anonymously to mark the long service of Mr
Dalby. The floor of the Church was carpeted and new kneelers
provided. The Sanctuary carpet was the gift of Mr Herbert
Ridsdale. The Church Warden's Stave, in oak, also made by
Thompson of Kilburn, was given by Mr E Tempest in gratitude for the
ministry of The Rev'd E O Butler, Rector of Spofforth
(1928-1945).
