St Nicholas Olave Explained

St Nicholas Olave
Denomination:	Anglican, originally Roman Catholic
Founded Date:	11th century
Demolished Date:	1666
Location:	Bread Street Hill, London
Country:	United Kingdom

St Nicholas Olave was a church in the City of London, on the west side of Bread Street Hill^[1] in Queenhithe Ward. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and was never rebuilt. Instead the parish was united with that of St Nicholas Cole Abbey.^[2]

History

The dedication of the church derives from the earlier amalgamation between two parishes: St Nicholas and St Olave Bradestrat, which was removed by the Austin Friars for the erection of their monastic buildings.^[3] Described by John Stow as a “convenient church”^[4] the parish had strong connections with the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, many members of which were buried in the churchyard.^[5] Its eminent organist William Blitheman also lay here.^[6] Following the fire the parish was united with that of St Nicholas Cole Abbey^[7] Some parish records survive.

The site is currently occupied by Senator House.^[8]

References

1. http://www.senatorhouse.com/ The site is now occupied by Senator House
2. "A Dictionary of London" Harben,H: London, Herbert Jenkins 1918
3. ”Vanished Churches of the City of London” Huelin,G: London, Guildhall Library Publishing 1996
4. "A Survey of London, Vol I" Stow,J: London, A. Fullarton & Co, 1890 (original edition 1598)
5. "Bread Street Hill & St. Nicholas Olave Churchyard" Dibdin,T.C: London, Privately published 1850
6. “Notes on Old City Churches: their organs, organists and musical associations” Pearce,C.W.: London, Winthrop Rogers Ltd 1909
7. "The London Encyclopaedia" Hibbert,C; Weinreb,D; Keay,J: London, Pan Macmillan 1983 (rev 1993, 2008)
8. https://lostcityoflondon.co.uk/2020/11/30/st-nicholas-olave/ Lost City of London website entry on St Nicholas Olave