St Nicholas Church Gardens
What's On in St Nicholas Church Gardens
For more information about events in Parks visit our Events web page.Events in Our Lady and St Nicholas Church and more information about the Church and its history.
St Nicholas Church Gardens
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A Brief History
St Nicholas is the Patron Saint of sailors and is regarded as the guardian of seamen proceeding on their voyages. Consequently the Parish Church of Liverpool is often known as the Sailors Church.
St Nicholas has been rebuilt several times since its foundation in medieval times. In the corner of the churchyard stood a coffee house in which shackles were fixed for the slave trader auctions during the eighteenth century.
Notable events in the history of St Nicholas' Church include
- The granting of a licence to bury the unfortunate victims of the plague in the churchyard at St Nicholas, as the Black Death swept England in 1361
- By the sixteenth century it is recorded that trees were planted in the churchyard during Tudor times
- During the English Civil War, Liverpool, noted for being a Royalist town, was the scene of sieges and counter-sieges between the forces of Cromwell and those loyal to the King. During this turbulent period both sides used St Nicholas' Church to detain prisoners of war.
- St Nicholas' church has strong links to the Slave Trade, being in the heart of the trading activities. The new found prosperity this led to enabled the expansion of the churchyard
- The most notable and disastrous event in its long history occurred in 1810 on Sunday February 11 when the spire of St Nicholas' Church fell and 25 people, mainly young children under the age of 15 from Moorfields Charity School were killed, crushed under the rubble.
- Between 1811 and 1815 a new tower and lantern were erected, meaning no remains of the ancient church are now in existence. Further extensive alterations were made throughout the 19th century
- A Parish Centre was built in the 1920s and after a devastating air raid in December 1940 only this and the tower and vestries survived. Rebuilding began after the War and the church was consecrated on 18 October 1952.
St Nicholas' Church is still in use for services throughout the year.
The Garden
Until 1767 when a dock was built where the Liver Buildings now stand, at high tide, the River Mersey reached the wall which encloses the garden.
1849 saw the last burials. The Churchyard became a public garden in memory of James Harrison whose shipping company still has its offices facing the garden.
On 17 May 1892 a Deed of Faculty was granted for the laying out of the graveyard as an 'Ornamental Ground' by forming walks and making beds of shrubs or plants surrounded with turf. It was clearly indicated that the alterations should in no way interfere with the primary use of the Church as a place of worship.
The newly laid out garden was given into the care of the Corporation of Liverpool - subject to conditions to be approved by the council and that "the proposed alterations will be a public benefit and make the said churchyard more comely and decent". It is today designated a Protected Green Space and is part of the Castle Street Conservation Area.
The garden still provides that public benefit, providing an oasis of calm in the heart of the city's business area. Popular as a lunchtime venue on fine days, it provides stunning views across the Mersey to the Wirral and beyond.
The planting, which incorporates maritime species, is designed to withstand strong salt laden winds and to provide interest throughout the year. A biblical planting theme has also been introduced into the garden.
The churchyard acts as a focal point for maritime artefacts including a memorial to those who died in the Russian Murmansk Convoy 1944-1945 and The Arctic Campaign of 1941 to 1945 amongst others. There is also a memorial to the citizens of Liverpool and Bootle who lost their lives in the Blitz of 1940 to 1942.
In recognition of the high standards attained, the Garden has achieved and sustained Green Flag status from 2002 to 2006.