SussexSHOREHAMStNicolas(michaelgarlickCC-BY-SA2.0)2 MichaelGarlick

St Nicolas

Beautifully kept church with Saxon origins and Norman extensions.

Shoreham, Sussex

Opening times

The church is open daily from approximately 9.30am to 4pm.

Address

St Nicolas Lane
Shoreham
Sussex
BN43 5NH

The church has a cruciform shape and is entered by a beautiful Norman doorway in the west was of the south transept. doorway is surrounded by strap and zig-zag carvings.

There are four round Norman arches in the tower containing carvings of limpets, shells, wheel studs in addition to human faces. It has been suggested two of these may be either Henry I and his wife Adeliza or King Steven and his queen Matilda. Set in the sanctuary is the piscina originally used for the priests to wash their hands. The stained glass in the east window contains glass shown in the Great Exhibition of 1851 and contains the figures of St Wilfred, St Mary, St Richard and St Nicolas. There is also a cat's face, and human faces, and a carved wooden beam at the east end of the nave, which may be unique. The painted ceiling in the choir is Victorian. 

There is a 'Sea Corner' with memorial brass to Cape Richard Poole and his son. Captaincies Pools sailed in a ship from Shoreham to fight the Spanish Armada.

We are a designated Commonwealth War Graves site and also have the grave of a Russian Princess who fled Russian and became an actress in London. She died in 1921.

  • Captivating architecture

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Famous connections

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Social heritage stories

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Wildlife haven

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Café within 500m

  • Dog friendly

  • Level access to the main areas

  • On street parking at church

  • Parking within 250m

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Sunday services are 8.30 and 10am.

  • Monthly coffee and homemade cake usually every 3rd Saturday in the month. Some of these are in aid of charities: Children's Society, Macmillan Nurses, Christian Aid

  • Church of England

  • Gateway Grant, £5,000, 2022

  • Our Gateway Grants fund churches developing building projects and also urgent maintenance and repair projects to help keep churches open.

Contact information

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