Lastingham

Set off on a bike ride in an attempt to beat the forecast showers. Hadn’t made my mind up how long I would be out and had various cut off points. This was taken in Lastingham on the way round. 

The church has an interesting history. This is from its website:

 A monastery was founded here in AD 654, by St Cedd, ten years before the Synod of Whitby.
Whilst the first monastery church in Lastingham was almost certainly wooden, it is known that a stone church was built on this site in 725.  However, the earliest parts of the current church, including the crypt, date from 1078.
A parish church since at least 1228, St Mary’s is famous for is unique apsidal crypt. The crypt was built possibly on or near the vicinity of the earlier 7th century structure and is thought to be part of the huge Benedictine Abbey planned by Stephen of Whitby in 1078.  Evidence of this proposed abbey can be seen throughout the church structure.  But sadly it was never completed, as Stephen abandoned the project, went to York and built St Mary’s Abbey there instead.