The church was built around a picture window taken from the chapel that it supplanted on the Denton Hall estate.

Whilst the church it is not a consecrated structure, services can take place there, and it is popular with people marrying due to its location close to a reception venue nearby.

"[13] The porch is a single storey edifice with double doors which face onto the south side.

St Helen was chosen because of her association with the "County of York"; her son spent at least a year in the area fighting the Picts.

[14] The church, and its predecessor chapel, were believed to have been constructed close to Denton Hall to allow the Fairfax and Ibbetson families to worship there instead of having to travel in to Otley.

[15] The churchyard contains several graves that pre-date the church's construction (such as the members of the Fairfax family),[16] having been moved there from the grounds of Denton Hall.

[23] In 2008, the church was joined with those at Fewston, Blubberhouses, Leathley and Farnley to become the United Benefice of Washburn and Mid-Wharfe in 2008.