EBK Home
  Kingdoms
  Royalty
  Saints  
  Pedigrees
  Archaeology
  King Arthur
  Mail David

Lastingham is the home of the evangelists of Midland Britain. A Saxon monastery was established here by St. Cedd in the mid-7th century. He later moved south to spread the Word amongst the pagan East Saxons, leaving his more famous brother, St. Chad, in charge. He too moved south soon afterward and settled in Lichfield.

Sadly, nothing remains of this important early church, but its Norman replacement is more than compensation. In 1078, the Benedictines decided to take the place on and began to build an abbey here. Within a decade, they had moved to York, but they left a wonderful monastic church for the parish to use. Its chief glory is the highly atmospheric crypt. This amazing structure is unique in its complexity, having chancel, aisles & eastern apse, and stumpy columns which Jenkins calls "Norman Romanesque at its most Roman". The monks may have intended it to receive some relics of Lastingham's previous inhabitants. The rest of the building is of similar date with a perpendicular tower.

The church is a regular place of worship owned by the Church of England. Free Entry, but donations welcome.