St Nicholas Church

History

The church of St Nicholas, which serves the Parish of North and Middle Littleton, is an attractive building situated adjacent to the National Trust owned medieval Tythe Barn and the Jacobean Manor House

Before the 1871 rebuilding, the chancel was circa 1290 and the nave XII century. The church also has two transcepts and a bell tower. The SouthTranscept was built as a Lady Chapel by Thomas Smyth, gentleman of the parish who died in1532. Upon his death he left a bequest to furnish the South Transcept as a Chantry, although there is no written evidence of it being licensed as such.

In 1871 the Chancel was entirely rebuilt by Frederick Preedy, a noted Victorian architect, who was born in the neighbouring parish of Offenham in 1820 and baptised their by his uncle. He, also, extended the Transcepts and added a very beautiful Reredos, which he designed and painted. The East Window remains the original.

The oldest object in the church is the impressive lead-lined XII century Font, which bears the scars of the removal of some of its ornamentation at the time of the Reformation.

The Pews in the Nave are medieval while those in the Chancel date from the XVI century

Also of interest is the pavement of medieval tiles in the North Transcept.These would have been of local manufacture and probably came from Malvern.

The lower section of the Tower dates from the XIII century but, above the level of the Belfry floor, the remainder of the tower was added in the XV century. The Belfry houses a set of six Bagley bells, dating from 1650, which still produce a glorious sound.

St Nicholas is one of the churches on the Evesham Preedy Trail, which is a tour of the talented architect's work. Complete guides are available in the church.

The Parishes of North & Middle Littleton and South Littleton are both members of the United Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages.

The Priest in Charge of the Benefice (Badsey, Bretforton, Offenham, The Littletons & Cleeve Prior) is the Rev'd Joanna Fielding who can be contacted on 07561 823135 (WhatsApp & phone) or 01386 339669.

Please get in touch with Jo directly for any enquiries about weddings, baptisms, funerals across our group of parishes. Alternatively, you can contact our administrator, Faith, on eastvaleavon.churches@gmail.com

For more details visit the Benefice website: www.eastvaleavon.com where you will also find all the services available.

St Nicholas Church now has only occasional services, but is open every day, and is available for Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms