On the west side of Bread Street Hill in the ward of Queenhithe (S. 357, and Leake, 1666).
Earliest mention: " Sci Nicholal Bernard," 1242-59 (MSS. D. and C. St. Paul's, W.D. 9, fo. 50). "St. Nichi Olaul," 1285 (ib. Lib. L. fo. 93). "Par' St. Nich quondam s'olaui. " 13th century (ib. W.D. 12). " St. Nicholas Olof," 1286 (Ct. H.W. I. 79). " St. Nicholas Bernard Olof," 31 Ed. I. (Lib. Cust. 230). " St. Nicholas Olaph" (Anc. Deeds, A. 2564). "SS. Nicholas and Olave," 1361 (Ct. H.W. II. 22 and 49).
Tenement in parish of " St. Nicholas Olof next Oldefysshstret," 41 Ed. III. (Ch. I. p.m.)
Tenement in parish of "St.Nicholas Olave in Old Fish Street," 4 Ed. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 2654).
Seems to be called " Sant Necolas Wyllyms in Bredstrett" in 1553 in Machyn's Diary, p.42.
Tenements in parish of St. Nicholas Olave in the old Fish-market (piscaria), 4 Ed. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 7291).
See St. Nicholas New Fish Street, St. Nicholas West Fish Street, and St. Nicholas Cole Abbey.
It is possible that some of the entries under these designations may refer to St. Nicholas Olave. The entry relating to " St. Nicholas in Eldefihstrete," 1305 (Ct. H.W. I. 169), seems to refer to this church.
Repaired and beautified 1623.
Burnt in the Fire and not rebuilt. Parish united to St. Nicholas Cole Abbey (Strype, Ed. 1720, I. iii. 211).
A Rectory. Patrons: Canons of St. Paul's and afterwards the Dean and Chapter.
This is an interesting example of a double dedication to St. Nicholas and to St. Olave, the sea-king of Norway, who died in 1030.
It seems probable from the extracts set out above that the original dedication was to St. Olave, which suggests that the church may have been built in the 11th century and dedicated under Danish influence, and that on the occasion of a subsequent rebuilding it was dedicated to St. Nicholas as well as to St. Olave. The designation "Bernard" may commemorate a builder or founder, but the name only occurs once or twice and does not seem ever to have been in general use.