Originally built in 1693, the church was rebuilt in 1883. In 1971 fire destroyed the entire building except the clock tower and main entrance. Belonging to Whitehaven Parish with St James, the tower now contains the Tower Chapel, a resource centre, and cafe. George Washington's grandmother, Mildred Washington Gale, is buried in the churchyard.
The real St. Nicholas comes at 3 pm on the 1st Sunday in December, followed by a blessing of the nativity crib in St Nicholas Gardens. This is part of Whitehaven's Switch-On, the lighting of the town's Christmas lights.
