The church dates from the 14th century. It was reconstructed between 1857 and 1858 and reopened on 16 September 1858. St Helens is named for the mother of Constantine the Great, who was proclaimed emperor in York. It is one of York's oldest churches, perhaps founded as early as the 8th century, on the route of the old Roman Via Praetoria, the main route into the city. St Helens was the church favoured by the medieval glaziers of York.