St Nicholas Church, Alcester
St. Nicholas Church, Butter Street, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5AL
St Nicholas Church is well known for its iconic location in the town centre, dominated by its 14th-century tower with an unusually located clock face-mounted on the corner - visible to Alcester's busy High Street. A 'surprise' on entry is its splendid 18th-century spacious Georgian nave, rebuilt in the 1730s under the supervision of the famous and prolific midlands stonemason Francis Smith of Warwick, and 1870s traditional 'Oxford revival' chancel by Frederick Preedy of Evesham.
From inspection of Smith's own drawings, Alcester's nave is concluded to be one of very few examples of Smith's own Palladian church architecture remaining in regular use for worship and other events.
Several interesting monuments including the C16 Fulke-Greville I tomb, the 1632 rare Alcester painted wood triptych Benefaction Board. Hertford - Seymour sculptures, and other historic artefacts. Victorian and modern stained glass. Nicholson pipe organ. Eight excellent bells.
Extensive exterior stonework restoration 2017-19 of north and south faces, including replacement of all ten nave window surrounds.
Apart from participating in Alcester's combined HODs weekend, the church is open daily to visitors throughout the year, subject to services and other activities.
Unable to visit in person?
View a tour of the church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRF_c0QuY2A
View the 17th century Alcester benefactions board, for texts, paintings and history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM-vWwm0gOY
St. Nicholas Church, Butter Street, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5AL
Toilets are available at Church House when open.
Several Alcester properties are open for this year's HODs festival on the same weekend. Follow Alcester's Heritage town trail to find them.