St Nicolas Church, Abingdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicolas's Church |
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| Parish Church of St Nicolas | |
St Nicolas's Church in Bridge Street
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | St. Nicolas's Church, Abingdon |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Nicolas |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Norman, Decorated Gothic, Perpendicular Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Oxford |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of Saint Nicolas is a historic Church of England parish church located in Abingdon, a town in the English county of Oxfordshire. It was once part of Berkshire.
Contents
Discovering St Nicolas's Church
The Church of Saint Nicolas has a long and interesting history. It was built next to the famous Abingdon Abbey, a large monastery. This church was special because it served the people who worked for the Abbey, not the monks themselves.
How Old Is This Church?
The church was added near the Abbey's entrance around the year 1170. Some parts of the church that are still standing today are believed to be from 1180. This makes it a very old building!
Why Is It Called St Nicolas?
The church is named after Saint Nicholas. He is a very popular saint, especially known for being kind to children. Many churches in England are named after him. The Normans, who came from France and settled in England, helped spread the stories of Saint Nicholas.
Early Mentions and Famous Visitors
The first official mention of St Nicolas's Church was in 1177. This was in a document from Pope Alexander III about church taxes called "tithes." A famous person, Saint Edmund of Abingdon, worshipped here when he was a child. His mother was also buried here first.
A School in the Church?
For many years, a room in St Nicolas's Church was used as a school. This early school is thought to be connected to the founding of Abingdon School, which is still a well-known school today. In the 15th century, a tower was added to the church, and the main part of the church, called the chancel, was rebuilt.
Understanding the Parish
A "parish" is like a local area that a church serves. It includes the people who live there and the church building itself.
How the Parish Was Formed
St Nicolas's Church became its own parish in 1372. Before this, it was part of the larger parish of St Helen's. The new St Nicolas parish included different areas like Fitzharris, Northcourt, and Bayworth. These were farms or estates that belonged to the Abbey. It also included a mill on the River Ock.
Why a New Parish?
The Abbey created this new parish to help earn money. This was especially important after difficult times, like the Black Death (a terrible plague) and when the Abbey was attacked in 1327. The income from the new parish helped the Abbey recover.
Joining Forces Again
In 1989, the two parishes, St Nicolas and St Helen's, joined together again. They now form one large church parish for Abingdon. For local government purposes, the St Nicolas parish also joined with Abingdon St Helen's in 1894 to form the "civil parish" of Abingdon.
