St. Nicholas Church, Durham

In the early 12th century, Ranulf Flambard, Prince-Bishop of Durham, cleared the green between his castle and Durham Cathedral. The area became a marketplace and the site of Saint Nicholas Church. Saint Nicholas was the patron saint of merchants, sailors, archers, reformed thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, and students, also known as "St Nic."

The first Saint Nicholas church had a buttressed nave, chancel, and a square, crenelated tower. One wall was part of the city walls. There was one cemetery between the church and the marketplace; another at the rear of the church. The building underwent extensive changes over the years. In 1857 it was demolished and rebuilt.

Only the 18th-century font and five bells from the 17th century were salvaged. The new church was built following a similar plan to the original. It was completed in 1858 by architect J. B. Pritchett of Darlington. The London News claimed it was "the most beautiful specimen of church architecture in the north of England."

The church, made with snecked sandstone with ashlar dressings, has a slate roof with stone gable copings. The nave and chancel are aisled. There are a south porch and tower and an octagonal stone spire with lucarnes. Above the ornate double doors is a niche with a statue of Saint Nicholas, who holds a ship in his left hand.