St Nicholas, PO17 6HP
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. NICHOLAS
The Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a very striking example of a church built upon a large mound almost circular in construction. This particular mound had probably been sacred ground for centuries so what could have been more fitting than the building of a first Christina church upon the place hallowed by the people for untold generations? In all probability St. Wilfrid dedicated a church here before 670AD.
The present building therefore probably has an ancestry that was ancient when the Normal builders came in 1120 leaving behind them the now re-used west doorway, with its zigzag on the arch. Later changes were wrought in the thirteenth century through the church’s association with the Manor of Wickham and the Uvedale family so that by the mid 19th century it looked as shown in the illustration below.
The Victorian era then saw a fifteen year period of ‘makeover’. The Norman doorway was moved about ten feet to the west and fitted into the new tower, the north transept was rebuilt and the exterior walls clad in flints. The interior did not escape attention, or ‘spoilation’ as it underwent considerable alteration, including the introduction of an organ in the South Chapel and uniform seating.
More recent internal changes took place in the 1950s with alterations to the chancel and creation of the priest’s vestry. The organ was removed to its current position in 1957 from the South Chapel enabling its re-dedication as a Lady Chapel in 1961. This chapel has received further attention with the installation of engraved glass panels and doors and a lighting corona in 2004.
Sunday
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Holy Communion
Common Worship Order One Traditional
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Parish Communion
Common Worship Order One.
Parish Holy Communion is a traditional service with robed choir.
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Baptism
Family Baptism is a family service designed to be warm and friendly for families bringing children for holy baptism.
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Quiet Time
Reflective worship with choir, address and plenty of space for silence.
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Matins
Matins (BCP) with choir and sermon.
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Family Communion
All-age worship with children's activity and music group.
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Parish Communion
Common Worship communion service, with choir, hymns and sermon
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Sung Evensong
Evensong with sung responses, choir and sermon.
Monday
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Morning Prayer
Common Worship morning prayer in the Lady Chapel
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer
Common Worship morning prayer in the Lady Chapel
Wednesday
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Morning Prayer
Common Worship morning prayer in the Lady Chapel
Thursday
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Morning Prayer
Common Worship morning prayer in the Lady Chapel
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Messy Church
For children and their grown ups - bible stories, crafts, songs and celebration, along with a delicious home-cooked meal.
Friday
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Morning Prayer
Common Worship morning prayer in the Lady Chapel