---
title: "St Nicholas, Harwich"
description: "Located in Harwich, Essex. Built 1821–22, on the site of a chapel founded c.1210. Diocese of Chelmsford. Grade II*. Gothic Revival style."
category: "Church"
tags: ["Church","Church of England","Essex","Harwich","Grade II*","Gothic Revival","M. G. Thompson"]
canonical: "https://thebritishgazette.com/post/st-nicholas-harwich"
pubDate: "2026-09-06T01:47:53.023Z"
dateModified: "2026-09-07T20:32:44.082Z"
location: "Harwich, Essex"
country: "England"
county: "Essex"
town: "Harwich"
address: "Church Street, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3DR"
postcode: "CO12 3DR"
built: "1821–22, on the site of a chapel founded c.1210"
consecrated: "20 July 1822"
architect: "M. G. Thompson of Dedham"
denomination: "Church of England"
dedications: ["Nicholas"]
diocese: "Chelmsford"
grade: "II*"
style: "Gothic Revival"
materials: "London brick and Coade stone; iron columns and window frames"
website: "http://harwichpeninsulaparish.co.uk/St-Nicholas/"
openingHours: "Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church."
parish: "The Harwich Peninsula"
listEntryUrl: "https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1281276"
gridReference: "TM 261 325"
accessNotes: "Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby"
---

# St Nicholas, Harwich

St Nicholas is a Grade II* parish church on Church Street, Harwich, Essex, in the Diocese of Chelmsford and the parish of the Harwich Peninsula.

## Overview

The listing records a chapel of ease to All Saints, Dovercourt, until 1871, on the site of a chapel founded about 1210 by Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, which was extremely dilapidated by 1819. The present church, designed by M. G. Thompson of Dedham, cost about £20,000 raised by subscription and rate; Coade stone pinnacle accounts of 1821 survive. The Harwich Society states that Bishop Howley of London consecrated it on 20 July 1822. The fabric is London brick with Coade stone in a restrained Gothic style, with a tower and stone spire, nave, aisles, galleries and chancel. Interior fittings include quatrefoil nave piers, a groin-vaulted ceiling with foliate bosses, galleries (including upper iron “cages” at the west end), box pews, a Flight and Robson organ, a thirteenth-century Purbeck font, and the Royal Arms of George IV. Cast-iron columns and window frames reflect early industrial construction. A marble tablet of 1666 commemorates Sir William Clarke.

## Further Information

- [Historic England list entry 1281276](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1281276)
- [The Harwich Society: St Nicholas Church](https://www.harwich-society.co.uk/maritime-heritage-trail/st-nicholas-church-part-1/)
- [Harwich Peninsula Parish](http://harwichpeninsulaparish.co.uk/St-Nicholas/)