The original building was just a Chapel of Ease and called St.Catherines but this was later changed to St. Nicholas. It is recorded that on the 11 April 1409 a licence was granted to the villagers to have divine service in the chapel and bury their dead in the chapel yard.
The present church is the third one to be built on the existing site as
the church was rebuilt in 1814 at a cost of £888. This was by subscription
and rates but there was a deficit of £100, which was borrowed from a Mr.
Edward Coates. This was repaid by giving Mr. Coates a close (field) in
Withernsea, which was originally given to provide a salary for the man who
wound up the church clock. The clock no longer exists and the rent from this
field has been used towards church repairs. This field has now been sold. *
(see Rugby Club). This field has really been invaluable to St Nicholas over
the last 200 years as the interest from the sale of the field is still
providing funds for its upkeep.
This church only lasted for 70 years, as the foundations were unsafe but
the tower from the 1814 church remains as part of the present day building.
Our church has various stained glass windows, which have been installed
in memory of the Rev'd Charles Day and his family. Rev'd Day served the parish
for 40 years. There are two others dedicated to Rupert Henry Bradfield and
John Robert Dibnah who had both served this beautiful, country church for many
years as Churchwardens.
The present Churchwardens are Brenda Smith from Withernsea and Anne
Branton, grand-daughter of the aforesaid John Dibnah. Brenda is a
brilliant Treasurer and Anne is an accomplished embroiderer and has recently
completed new Easter, Christmas and Advent altar frontals.
To mark the Millennium villagers have donated funds, along with the
church, to pay for a window to be designed and
installed
There are also several plaques in St. Nicholas dedicated to past Vicars
of the parish. Vicars do not tend to stay in parishes for as long as they used
to but they all have left cherished memories. During the past century there
have been the Reverends Passmore, Tinsley, Scott, Dowse, Gregory, Hodge,
Ellery and to the present day Duncan Harris.
Unfortunately there is no longer a Sunday School but services are held on
most Sunday's, There are always special services for
Mother's Day, Easter, Harvest and Christmas.
In 1969 part of the graveyard of the church was reclaimed with a faculty
and many of the gravestones over 100 years old were replaced to the boundary
to allow the land to be used again for burials. Much of this work was carried
out by Samuel Fisher, a Churchwarden. The churchyard has always been lovingly
kept tidy. This work was carried out voluntarily by George Stork for many,
many years and most recently by Christopher Pexton.
Several church kneelers have been embroidered by residents and friends of the church.
In 2004 Anne Branton and Kathleen Fisher embroidered a wedding kneeler in time for the marriage of local girl Jane Carmichael to Daren Ives.
Harry
Hopper, who played the organ at St. Nicholas for many years, left £1000 in
his will. This money has been used to purchase oak gates for both entrances to
the churchyard.
Recently two oak seats have been locally made and situated in the
churchyard in commemoration of Christine and Claire Pitchforth, who tragically
lost their lives in 2000 in a motor accident.
To keep up to date with present regulations the church paths have been graveled
with a concrete center to allow for wheelchair access.
Church Services: 1st Sunday 6.30 pm Holy Communion
2nd Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion
3rd Sunday 6.30 pm Evensong
4th Sunday 8.30 am Holy Communion
A Christmas Carol Service by candlelight is held every year as well as a Mothering Sunday service.
For more information about the church and non conformity churches, which
have been in the village, see Kathleen Fisher's book 'Hollym: a Yorkshire
Village' published in 1990.