Please see pinned post for details on opening times. Wantsum Benefice Vision Statement:
To be a vibrant inclusive worshipping group of churches
serving God through a flourishing community building
sharing Christ’s love through welcome, hospitality and care
connecting together with our communities and schools
valuing all creation and each other
sharing generously our gifts with Spirit-filled joy
Welcome Booklet http://www.stnicholasatwade.org.uk/pix/Welcome%20Pack%202019.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Wlq4CBmppYQDl8-4wD-SVrtm1aC6-3H4XpIixMdNbCeamltoLbAhEBn8
PLEASE NOTE: Our church is open daily from 10am-4pm. Please see the pinned post at the top of our page for up to date information regarding services. Everyone is most welcome to join us. When then is a fifth Sunday of the month, the Churches of the Wantsum Benefice meet together for worship at either St. Nicholas Church, Chislet, Minster or Monkton Churches. We are delighted to receive visitors from all around the world as St Nicholas Church is also featured in both “Pevsner” and Simon Jenkins’s “England’s thousand best churches.”
We have an excellent catering committee for all events who provide lunches for Charity day and our Biannual Open Gardens and for the Wantsum Group Rogation Walk. We regularly gather at the back of the church for coffee or tea after our morning Service and Coffee Mornings are also held at the back of the church on the first Saturday of each month. Strawberries and cream plus a glass of wine for our Festival of the First Fruits (Lammas) and Harvest Suppers are also held here. An annual Charity Day is held at the end of October or beginning of November different Charities from beyond the parish have stalls with Christmas goods, drinks available all day and lunches. Gifts are brought to our Patronal Festival, the Sunday nearest to 6th December (St Nicholas Day) and are shared amongst charities. Christingle, Carol Services, Mothering Sunday are some of our main events apart from the main Church Festivals and we also hold many concerts during the year. History
St. Nicholas' Church is a major mediaeval church listed Grade I. Its southwest Tower was constructed in 2 phases around 1310, the lower section being of the highest quality knapped flint, while the upper sections (rising to 74 feet) were added in rubble construction, possibly as a navigation marker, appropriate as St Nicholas is the patron of seafarers. The present building probably dates from the early 12th century; mid 12th century. Romanesque features survive in the Bridges Chapel and in the west end of the Nave. The most important 12th century work to survive is the South Aisle arcade, which probably dates from the 1160s or early 1170s. These three arches and their capitals include carved work of the highest quality and are stylistically similar to work at Canterbury Cathedral. Almost all the east end, including the Chancel, Bridges Chapel and Becket Chapel (now the Vestries) were added in the early 13th century, with the particularly fine Chancel arch dating from around 1343. By circa 1450 the North and South Aisles and the clerestory were in situ. During 18th century, part of the Nave roof was rebuilt with a flat ceiling. The Bridges Chapel has memorials to the family of Robert Bridges; Poet Laureate. There was a measure of restoration by Victorians. The tower was restored in 1821 and 2000.
