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 suceeded by Mrs Julia Dalby
(wife of the organist). Mrs Della Bennett took over from Mrs
Dalby in 1966 and still holds this position.
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 Rev E O Butler, Rector of Spofforth
(1928-1945).
