St. Nicholas Cole Abbey

Photo: Simon Knott, London City Churches

Used by permission

Photo shows proximity to St Paul's Cathedral; the walls, gates, and stairs are from 1874

Photo: Simon Knott, London City Churches

Used by permission

The church was declared redundant in 1981

Photo: J Rosenthal, St Nicholas Center

The ship weathervane originally topped the spire at St Michael Queenhithe until that church was demolished in 1874

Photo: Jelltex Flickriver

1830 steel engraving, hand coloured, drawn by Thom. H. Shepherd

St Nicholas Center Collection

St Nicholas Cole Abbey banner, now at St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe

Photo: John Salmon
Used by permission

1962 window, designed by Keith New; St. Nicolas is the figurehead at the prow of the ship, holding his book open with three balls for the dowry gold

Photo: Simon Knott, London City Churches

Used by permission

The font cover is original, by Richard Kedge, who did joinery work for Christopher Wren; the font itself is a modern copy

Photo: Simon Knott, London City Churches

Used by permission

The 17th century pulpit is on a modern base

Photo: Simon Knott, London City Churches

Used by permission

Interior of the church before World War II devastation

Postcard, St Nicholas Center Collection

Photogravure from Wonderful London by St John Adcock, 1922.

Courtesy of Simon Knott, Flickr

War damage

City of London, London (Middlesex) England UK

[Church of England (Anglican)]

The church dates from the 12th century and was the first City church rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of 1677. It was reordered in 1874 and partly restored in 1928-31. The church suffered again during World War II, being gutted by fire bombs, 11 May 1941, the worst night of the Blitz. Restored in 1962, it became home to the Free Church of Scotland, 1982–2003. Of the four medieval City of London St Nicholas parish churches, St Nicholas Cole Abbey is the only one still standing.

When the church was refreshed in 2014 it became home to a host of new activities as the St Nicholas Cole Abbey Centre for Workplace Ministry. The Centre hosts The Wren, a coffee shop open Monday - Friday from 7 am until 5 pm; St Nick's Talks, a midi-week "church" in the city, on Thursdays with breakfast at 7:45, study and prayer from 8-8:50 am; and lunch talks from 1:05-1:35 pm; and St Nick's Church holds Sunday services each week at 11 am with Sunday clubs and creche.

St Nicholas Cole Abbey New Centre

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