Music at St Nicolas has a history as long and longer than the building itself. At all points in that history, there will have been music associated with Christian worship, even in the silent days of the Puritans, when precious manuscripts were hidden away, and songs and instrumental pieces were remembered by heart.

St Nicolas Church is a Parish Church set at the heart of a traditional Village Green – although it now finds itself as part of the Diocese of Birmingham despite some of the parish still being in the geographical county of Worcestershire. Previously a daughter church of Bromsgrove, it became a parish in its own right in the latter half of the 19th century and retains dual patronage between the Bishop of Birmingham and the Dean of Worcester. The current stone church has some Norman features in the chancel, though the majority of the church is 13th and 14th century, with a 15th century tower. The current vestry is Victorian, as is the organ chamber, both built as part of an extensive restoration in the 1870’s.

It is presumed that the chancel was built on or close to the site of an earlier wooden church or preaching cross, given the location at the top of a hill, close to a river, and at the junction of known roads. There has never been any actual archeological evidence discovered to claim these presumptions as fact, but the geography would suggest it. There is a tradition of 900+ years of Christian worship on the site, and possibly more.

The next pages have information, pictures and stories about the known history of more recent times, and conjectured history of earlier times. If you or a family member has been a singer or musician here at some time in your life, then you may find a photograph to view – or may have photographs to share. Please do get in touch.