History of St. Nicolas Church

St Nicolas’ is one of the three ancient parishes of Guildford (the other two being Holy Trinity with St Mary’s, and St John’s Stoke (though the latter was still a separate and more rural community almost into living memory).  St Nicolas is at the lower end of the High Street – by the ‘golden ford’ which perhaps accounts for the name of our town now – while Holy Trinity is at the top and St Mary’s (now the most ancient church building) is half way up in Quarry Street.

So St Nicolas’ has been a place of prayer, peace and holiness since the early middle ages.  The present building is Victorian and the third on this site.  The Loseley chapel (which is very slowly being restored) is the burial chapel of the More-Molyneux family of Loseley House. 

The chapel was originally apart from the church but is now reached through the Parish Centre.  It has connections with St Thomas More and John Donne.  Despite the unexciting exterior, if you go inside St Nicolas’ you will find a stunningly beautiful, light and well-ordered church.