Church of St Nicholas

Photo: C Myers, St Nicholas Center

Pulpit with St. Nicholas carving

Photo: source unknown

Photo: © James Murray, Churches of Britain and Ireland

Photo: source unknown

Photo: © James Murray, Churches of Britain and Ireland

Photo taken shortly before restoration appeal was launched, around 1816

Photo: Withernsea in Pictures

Photo: Ted Allwood, TrigpointingUK

Photo: Ian S, Geograph

Used under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

SISTER KIRKES
Legend tells of two sisters building separate churches after arguing over the style of a jointly funded church. One wanted a spire, the other a tower. These two buildings became known as the Sisterkirkes.

The sea eventually claimed both of the churches, eroding the church of St. Mary the Virgin Withernsea around 1444 & St. Peter's Church Owthorne between 1786 and 1824.

Stones from the churches were reused in the building of St. Nicholas Church Withernsea and St. Mary the Virgin Rimswell.

Photo: Lucy Melford

Unmarked lane to the church

Photo: C Myers, St Nicholas Center

Withernsea, Yorkshire England UK

[Church of England (Anglican)]

The church was built in 1448, after the sea had destroyed the old village of Withernsea and its St Mary's church. The chancel was in decay by 1575 and a 1609 storm ripped off the roof and the church fell into ruin. After 200 years in ruin, restoration began after the Owthorn church fell into the sea. Restoration was completed in 1859. It was listed as a Grade II building in 1987 and the tower restored in 2000. Worship continued until 2013 and the church closed in 2014. Maintenance costs could not be met and the congregation joined the Church of St Mathews. The church was listed for sale in 2017.