Did you know St Nicholas Cole Abbey’s history intertwines with London’s bustling fish market? This Grade II* listed building stands proudly on Queen Victoria Street a testament to resilience and faith. Dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra a 4th-century bishop this church boasts a rich history spanning centuries. Initially recorded in the 12th century it was tragically destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Sir Christopher Wren’s office masterfully rebuilt it.
The name “Cole Abbey” is a fascinating detail. It originates from “coldharbour” an old word for a traveler’s shelter. The church however was never actually an abbey. Its location near a fish market highlights Saint Nicholas’s patronage of fishermen. An inventory from the Reformation even reveals vestments for children suggesting a tradition of electing a boy bishop on Saint Nicholas Day. The church’s proximity to Old Fish Street is documented in a 1272 charter.
The Reformation brought changes. St Nicholas Cole Abbey became Protestant. However under Queen Mary I it briefly returned to Catholicism. Thomas Sowdley the incumbent rector even faced a comical punishment for marrying during Edward VI’s reign. He was carted through Cheapside pelted with chamber pots and rotten eggs. He later regained his position under Elizabeth I.
The church survived another devastating blow the Blitz of World War II. German bombs left it a shell. Arthur Bailey later restored it in 1961-62. Its modern stained-glass windows designed by Keith New are visually stunning. They are quite different from the original Burne-Jones windows destroyed during the war. These new windows tell a story of St Nicholas Cole Abbey as the center of the world.
Today St Nicholas Cole Abbey stands as a symbol of London’s enduring spirit. The church is a reminder of Saint Nicholas’s legacy. It continues to serve its community. Its story reminds us of resilience faith and the enduring power of a patron saint’s influence. It shows how one building holds so much history.