The Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas is known locally as 'The Sailors' Church' and simply 'St Nick's'.

The Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas is the parish church of Liverpool. The site is said to have been a place of worship since at least 1257. The church is situated close to the River Mersey near the Pier Head. The Chapel of St Nicholas (Patron Saint of Sailors) was built on the site of St Mary del Quay which was considered too small for the growing borough of Liverpool in 1356. Image File history File links Liverpool_St_Nicholas. ... A parish church is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches. ... Liverpool waterfront by night, as seen from the Wirral. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Ferry across the Mersey, June 2005 The River Mersey is a river in north-western England. ... The Pier Head is a riverside location in the city-centre of Liverpool, England. ... A chapel is a private church, usually small and often attached to a larger institution such as a college, a hospital, a palace, or a prison. ... Saint Nicholas, also known as Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas (a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas) in the Netherlands and Flanders, is the common name for the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in 4th century Byzantine Anatolia, (now in modern Turkey) and had a reputation for secret gift... Gabriel delivering the Annunciation to Mary. ... Events January 20 - Edward Balliol surrenders title as King of Scotland to Edward III of England April 16 — the King of the Serbian Kingdom of Raška Stefan Dušan is proclaimed Tsar (Emperor) of all Serbs, Arbanasses and Greeks in Skopje by the Serbian Orthodox Christian Patriarch of a...

St Mary del Quay

In 1207 Liverpool received its charter from King John. By 1257 a small stone chapel known as St Mary del Quay had been built. It probably stood near to the site of the present tower, overlooking a quay on the River Mersey. The chapel was used as the main centre of worship until 1355, when a new chapel dedicated to St Mary and St Nicholas was built on land granted to the burgesses by the Duke of Lancaster. Events Stephen Langton consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury June 17 by Pope Innocent III Births September 8 - King Sancho II of Portugal October 1 - King Henry III of England (d. ... This page deals with the King of England. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Events January 7 - Portuguese king Afonso IV sends three men to kill Ines de Castro, beloved of his son prince Pedro - Pedro revolts and incites a civil war. ... Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (c. ...

In 1361 a plague hit the town and the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry licensed the burial ground. The chapel itself was consecrated the following year. By the late 15th century, a north aisle, the same size as the original nave, had been added and three chantry altars had been established. Each chantry had their own priest paid for by a wealthy patron. In 1515 a fourth chantry was built. Events Founding of the University of Pavia, Italy. ... The Bishop of Lichfield is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... Chantry is a term for the English establishment of a shrine or chapel on private land where monks or priests would say (or chant) prayers on a fixed schedule, usually for someone who had died. ... 1515 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Protestant Reformation

During the Reformation the chantries were abolished and the building was adapted in stages to suit Protestant forms of worship. Between 1673 and 1718 the building was extended piecemeal and galleries were built to seat the increasing population of Liverpool. A spire was added in 1746. In 1699 Liverpool, now with a population of about 5000 people, was created an independent parish with (unusually) two parish churches and two rectors. Our Lady and St Nicholas (the "Old Church" or St Nicks) and the new parish church of St Peter's were established as the parish churches. By the year 1865 there were 27 churches in the parish, housing around 275,000 people. Since 1916 Our Lady and St Nicholas has been the Parish Church of Liverpool. St Peter's, which was situated in Church Street, was demolished in 1922, having served as pro-cathedral for the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool. The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Events January 22 - Impostor Mary Carleton is hanged in Newgate prison in England for multiple thefts and returning from penal transportation March 18 - John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton sells his part of New Jersey to the Quakers. ... // Events The Funj warrior aristocracy deposes the reigning mek and places one of their own ranks on the throne of Sennar. ... // Events Catharine de Ricci (born 1522) canonized. ... Events January 26 - Treaty of Karlowitz signed March 30 - the tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa. ... According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down, as shown in this painting by Caravaggio. ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... A parish church is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Diocese of Liverpool is a Church of England diocese based in Liverpool, covering Merseyside north of the River Mersey along with West Lancashire and northern Warrington. ...

In 1775, during discussions, the parish decided to rebuild the walls of the existing church. The galleries however were kept as the congregation paid pew rents. A new roof was set atop classical columns, which rested on medieval bases. The church now rebuilt, had walls four feet longer than the original church. 1775 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Pews in rows in a church A pew is a long bench used for seating of a church congregation. ...

Disaster befalls the church

Over the years, as new churches were built, no opportunity was taken to replace the "Old Church" with a totally new building. Members of the church repeatedly warned that the spire was unsafe. On Sunday 11 February 1810, as the bells rang and people were gathering for the morning service, the spire crashed into the nave below, killing 25 people. Twenty one of them were under 15 years old and most were girls from Moorfields Charity School. The original ring of 6 bells dating from 1636-1724 where destroyed in the disaster February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Events February 24 - King Christian of Denmark gives an order that all beggars that are able to work must be sent to Brinholmen Island to build ships or as galley rowers March 26 - Utrecht University founded in The Netherlands. ... Events January 14 - King Philip V of Spain abdicates the throne February 20 - The premiere of Giulio Cesare, an Italian opera by George Frideric Handel, takes place in London June 23 - Treaty of Constantinople signed. ...

Between 1811 and 1815 a new tower and lantern was built at the north side of the church. The tower was designed by Thomas Harrison of Chester. The last remains of the original chapel of St Mary del Quay, which had been used as a tavern, were demolished. Within the tower a new ring of 12 bells was installed, cast by Dobson of Downham Market, the Tenor being recast by Warners in 1912. Joyce Rollins is a lesbian. ... The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Thomas Harrison (1740-1829) was an English provincial architect and civil engineer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. ... Chester is the county town of Cheshire in North West England. ... 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Closure and transformation of the churchyard

In 1849 the churchyard was closed to burials. In 1891 it was transformed into a public garden in memory of James Harrison, whose shipping company had its offices facing the churchyard until the early 21st century. Until 1767, when Georges Dock was built, where the Liver Building now stands, the River Mersey reached the church garden walls at high tide. Also from 1758 to 1772 a battery of guns stood on an area of the burial ground (now covered by road) to defend the river. Over the years several small changes were made to the church for liturgical reasons. The most notable changes occurred between 1851 and 1852, and the Parish Centre was built in the 1920s. Apart from these changes the church remained the same between 1815 and 1940. 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1767 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Georges Dock was a dock, on the River Mersey and part of the Port of Liverpool it was situated where the Pier Head currently sits. ... The Liver Building is probably the most photographed and well known building in Liverpool. ... 1758 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Catherine IIs soldiers in the Russo-Turkish War, by Alexandre Benois. ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 3 - Babe Ruth is traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees for $125,000, the largest sum ever paid for a player at that time. ... The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...

Destruction and rebuilding of the church

During WWII the bells were removed for safety, but were never re-hung. The main body of the church was destroyed by fire following a wartime air raid on 21 December 1940, leaving only the parish rooms, vestries and the 19th century tower. Rebuilding began in March 1949 and the church was consecrated in 18 October 1952 (the Feast of St Luke). A new ring of 12 bells was cast by John Taylor and Co. of Loughborough. The new church was designed by architect Edward C. Butler. His design prompted major changes to the church. Contrary to the common practice of placing the altar in the east end of the church, Butler placed it at the western end. Also unlike other churches where the pulpit is the most prominent feature, Butler focused on the Sanctuary. The old galleries, which housed the large congregation, were also absent from his designs. These major changes reflected the smaller congregations of the church. A major difference between the new and old church was the height of the nave, the new one being 46ft (14m) - taller than the previous one. Also the biggest difference is the position of the organ and Refectory, which being situated above the Narthex (entrance vestibule), reduces the seating space within the church. German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Luke the Evangelist (Greek Λουκας Loukas) is said by tradition to be the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, the third and fifth books of the New Testament. ... John Taylor Bellfounders is, as of 2004, the worlds largest bell foundry, based in Loughborough, England. ... Sanctuary has multiple meanings. ... A refectory is a dining room, especially in monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions. ... The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area. ...

Exterior and interior detailing

The exterior of the church is notable for its distinctive lantern spire which can be easily spotted from the river despite being dwarfed by many taller buildings of the city's business district. There are also some features of note within the church itself. The nave and the sanctuary house fixed woodwork carved with the vine as the dominant motif, referencing Christ: "I am the vine, you are the branches". In the south east corner of the church is a stained glass window: Our Lady stands in glory as in Revelation and St Nicholas holds a ship.

The Rood, hanging above the altar

An inscription at the top reads: "For the Healing of the Nations". A war memorial for the Cunard Steamship Company, placed in the church in 1989, is situated in the north east corner. The church organ is by Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool, and is dedicated to the memory of Charles W. Bridson, organist 1902-1949. Hanging between the nave and the sanctuary is The Rood, a figure of Christ with Our Lady and St John. The Rood is made from the old oak bell frame from the tower. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (480x640, 18 KB) Summary The Rood, hanging above the altar of Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (480x640, 18 KB) Summary The Rood, hanging above the altar of Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool. ... The Cunard Line formerly Cunard White Star Line is the British cruise line that operates the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and RMS Queen Mary 2 (QM2) ocean liners. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A rood is an old English ( Anglo-Saxon) unit equal to quarter an acre, i. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

At either side of the altar two chapels can be found, St Peter's on the left and St Mary's on the right. The Chapel of St Peter commemorates the old co-parish church of St Peter's, which stood on Church Street. The 18th century wooden table was once the altar there. The Sacrament is reserved here and also used fro Communion services on weekdays. Charred timbers from the old church form a cross on the wall. The Maritime Chapel of St Mary del Quay was dedicated in 1993 as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of The Battle of the Atlantic. It perpetuates the memory of the medieval shrine. A statue of Our Lady, cast in bronze, can be seen standing in the prow of a boat. The statue was created by Liverpool artist Arthur Dooley. The furnishings in the chapel are by Robin McGhie, and a Book of Remembrance containing the names of mariners lost at sea can also be found here. A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace—a holy [[Mystery The root meaning of the Latin word sacramentum is making sacred. One example of its use was as the term for the oath of dedication taken by Roman soldiers; but the ecclesiastical use of the word is... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Combatants Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy United States Navy Kriegsmarine Regia Marina Commanders Sir Percy Noble Sir Max K. Horton Ernest J. King Erich Raeder Karl Dönitz Casualties 30,248 merchant sailors 3,500 merchant vessels 175 warships 28,000 sailors 783 submarines The Second Battle of the Atlantic... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ...

The church is linked to the famous phrase, "I'll be waiting till Dick docks", meaning a long time. This refers to the ship the Richard Donnelly, which sunk in Liverpool Bay. A representation of the ship in the form of a gilded copper weather vane can be seen on top of the tower of St Nicholas'. The weather vane measures 4ft 4 (1.3m). Liverpool Bay is a bay between north-east Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside to the east of the Irish Sea. ...

References

• Buildings of Liverpool. Liverpool Heritage Bureau, 1978.
• A History of Liverpool. Ramsay Muir, 1907

External links

• Liverpool Parish Church website
• The Bells of Our Lady and St Nicholas
• The Garden of Our Lady and St Nicholas
• Nice Photographs of the church interior