Christian Heritage of the North East
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by: artavia.seo
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Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 Time: 7:31 PM
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North East England has a long and rich history of Christianity, beginning with Lindisfarne on the Holy Island in 635AD. This monastery founded by Saint Aiden was the base of English evangelizing in the North of England. It was raided by Vikings in 793, and the raid and downfall of the monastery is generally considered the beginning of the Viking Age. The Patron Saint of Northumberland, Saint Cuthbert, was a monk at Lindisfarne and later the Abbot of the monastery. His miracles and life were recorded by the Venerable Bede. Cuthbert later became Bishop of Lindisfarne. After the Viking raid, the monks took his body with them, and it eventually went to the Cathedral at Durham. Lindisfarne is a popular tourist attraction, both for its history and its beautiful and natural landscape. The Lindisfarne Gospels were written in Saint Cuthbert's honour, and you can see an interactive version in the island heritage centre.
Durham is home to the Durham Cathedral, which many feel is the best example of Norman Architecture in England. The tombs of St. Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede are here, and St. Cuthbert's tomb became a place of pilgramage. King Henry VIII ordered St. Cuthbert's tomb destroyed in 1538, and the wealth of the monastery was transferred to the king. Upon exhuming Cuthbert's body, it was found to be uncorrupted. The present structure was founded in 1093. The cathedral is 66 metres high, giving a view to Durham and its neighboring areas.
Gisborough Priory was founded in 1119, and was mostly destroyed except the east end. It is a symbol for the area, with its large arch window. St. Hilda's church has been called an "architectural gem" and dates from 1190. Located in Hartlepool, it is a fine example of English Architecture, with elements of Norman and Saxon Architecture. St Pauls Church and Monastic Site was home to the venerable Bede, who chronicled the beginning of English Christianity. It has the oldest dedication stone in all of England, dating to AD 685. Located in Jarrow, it has been short-listed as a Heritage Site.
Tynemouth Castle and Priory has ruins of a 13th century priory with a dramatic view over the North Sea and River Tyne. Much of the Priory is intact.
Eaglestone Abbey is a Premonstratensian Abbey on the bank of the River Tees 2.5 Km from Durham Castle. It's beautiful location and ruins make it a popular tourist attraction. Finchale Priory, a 13th Century Benedictine Priory, is on the site of a retired pirate's hermitage. St. Andrews church in Darlington is an ancient ecclesiastical centre and has 2 Saxon crosses dating from the 9th Century. It has a Saxon interior and Jacobean pulpit.
Newbiggin Methodist Chapel is believed to be the oldest Methodist Chapel in continuous use, since 1759.
Whether interested in the history, the culture, or you want to attend services at an older church, North East England has much in the way of discovery of our religious link to the past.
About the Author
This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Northumbrian Cottages who offer Northumberland Coastal Cottages
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