Church Porch

The history of the church that this porch leads to began over 950 years ago. The original church was built by Saint Cuthmann, with help of course.

"Of the original church only part of the nave survives. Evidence has suggested that it extended two further bays to the west where the present tower now stands. The great chancel arch was one of four that supported a central tower. To the north and south there were transepts, and beyond, to the east, a chancel and choir which extended practically to the eastern end of the present churchyard. It must have been a magnificent building from every aspect.

The church stood in all its splendour until the mid 16th century when both eastern and western ends collapsed and the transepts were probably damaged beyond repair by the fall of the central tower. The present tower was constructed partly out of debris from the original church with the purpose of shoring up the western end of the church. It was not until the mid 18th century that a modified chancel was built; it was improved in the mid 19th century when a pipe organ was also introduced. "

I will be blipping the church itself at a later date. Watch this space (but don't hold your breath) ......