St Nicholas Olave
A former church in the City of London, on the west side of Bread Street Hill in Queenhithe Ward.
The Mortality Bill for the year 1665, published by the Parish Clerk’s Company, shows 97 parishes within the City of London. By September 6 the city lay in ruins, 86 churches having been destroyed in the Fire of London. In 1670 a Rebuilding Act was passed and a committee set up under the stewardship of Sir Christopher Wren to decide which would be rebuilt. Fifty-one were chosen, but not St Nicholas Olave. Its unusual dedication refers to the earlier amalgamation between two parishes: St Nicholas and St Olave Bradestrat, which was removed by the Austin Friars for the erection of their monastic buildings. Described by John Stow as a “convenient church” the parish had strong connections with the Fishmongers, many of whom were buried in the churchyard. Its eminent organist William Blitheman also lay here. Following the fire it was united with St Nicholas Cole Abbey and partial records survive and are available in the International Genealogical Index.
