St Nicholas of Myra, (Brighton, St Nicholas)

Denomination:

Anglican.

Internet:

Church website.

A Church Near You (Church of England site for this church).

Address:

Dyke Road, Brighton, East Sussex.

Grid reference: 530761, 104517, View on: Google Maps, Open Street Map, Streetmap, National Library of Scotland Map, Magic Maps

Incumbents:

Church of England Clergy Database.

Registers:

Earliest Register: 1558.

Baptisms:

There is 1 baptism in the OPC database.

IGI Batches: P017281 (1558 ~ 1701); C017282 (1701 ~ 1731); E017282 (1701 ~ 1731); C017285 (1813 ~ 1813); C147946 (1814 ~ 1815); C017286 (1816 ~ 1819); C147947 (1817 ~ 1824); C017287 (1827 ~ 1832); C147948 (1832 ~ 1835); C147931 (1852 ~ 1861); C135466 (1852 ~ 1853); C135468 (1854 ~ 1855); C135469 (1855 ~ 1856); C135476 (1860 ~ 1861); C135389 (1861 ~ 1862); C135391 (1862 ~ 1863).

Burials:

There are no burials in the OPC database.

No burial IGI batches known.

Marriages:

There are 11042 marriages in the OPC database.

IGI Batches: M017281 (1559 ~ 1730); M017284 (1755 ~ 1797); M147935 (1828 ~ 1838); M147938 (1845 ~ 1849); M147942 (1862 ~ 1865).

Monumental inscriptions:

There is 1 monumental inscription in the OPC database.

Images:

POWPics (The New Roughwood Church Album) contains 4 photographs of this church. This album will also display any postcards or other images of the church which are in the Sussex OPC database.

There are 14 images of this church in the OPC database.

Building information:

Built: Unknown or not given.

Current use: Worship.

Harrison's description (1911):

ST. NICHOLAS. Restored in 1852, with subsequent additions. Although no longer the parish church of Brighton, the olf edifice of St. Nicholas claims first attention. This church, which is stated to be situated within a Druidical enclosure, was most probably built about the middle of the 14th c. on the site of a still older church, which is mentioned in the Domesday Survey, and was of Nor. work, possibly resembling Old Shoreham Church in design. Many archaeologists, however, are of opinion that the original church was situated near the shore and was destroyed by the encroachments of the sea; hence a site was chosen on high ground. When the tower was repaired in 1853, Nor. work was found on the inside face on many of the corner-stones of the buttresses of the embattlements. The old map-picture of 1545 represents the church as being cruciform with a circular tower. The font is Nor., and is rudely sculptured in four sections, representing the Last Supper, the Baptism of Christ, the Legend of St. Nicholas, and lastly some other figures which are of doubtful signification. When the church was restored in 1853 much of its antiquity was destroyed, and, with the exception of the arches of the nave and pillars, the chancel screen and arch, piscina and the towere, but little of the original building remains. The roof was raised and clerestory windows inserted a few years ago. The exterior is built of cut flints and grout, with stone quoins.

The chancel screen is a fine specimen of Perp. work in oak, well carved, but rather over-gilded. It is probably early Tudor, and worth attention; over it was a rood-loft. There is a monument in good imitation of Dec. work, to the memory of the great Duke of Wellington, who used to worship in this church, and was a pupil of the Vicar of Brighton, the Rev. Henry Mitchell. This memorial was in the chantry on the S. of the chancel, but when this chapel was recently enlarged it was removed to the north-west end of the church. On the S. wall near the porch is a tablet giving a list of the Vicars of Brighton from 1091. Among the memorials is one by Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A., to his wife, who died in Brighton in 1853 and is buried here; the Fairfield Monument is by his son, also R.A. In 1909 a tablet was placed in memory of Dr. Samuel Johnson, who attended this church when he visited the Thrales in Brighton.

In the churchyard, near the S. door, is to be seen the lower fragment and the stone steps of a churchyard cross, perhaps crucifix, destroyed by Cromwell's soldiers; also the tombs of Captain Tettersell, who took Charless II., after his flight from Worcester, to France; of Phoebe Hessell, who served as a soldier, and died at the age of 108 in 1821; of Mrs. Crouch, the actress; and of Martha Gunn, the Royal bathing-woman. Reg. 1554.

Documents:

There are 2 documents concerning this church in the OPC database.

Publications:

There are no books about this church in the Sussex OPC Bibliography.

There are 5 articles about this church in the OPC Sussex Archeaological Collections Index.

Notes:

The ancient parish church of Brighton, superceded by St Peter's in 1873.

Interest in this church:

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