NORHAM is the place where St Aidan crossed the Tweed on his way from Iona to establish his monastery at Lindisfarne or Holy Island in A.D. 635.
It is said that when a stone church was built at Lindisfarne the wooden structure was transferred to Norham. the preaching cross on the village green may be on the site of this church.
The first stone church in Norham was founded in A.D. 830. The site of this church is probably to the east of the present church where there is now a clump of large yew trees in the churchyard.
Celtic stones found in the churchyard have been cemented into a square pillar which may be seen beside the fount. They include parts of more than one cross shaft as well as a cross head.
The coffin of St Cuthbert was brought from Lindisfarne to Norham in a A.D. 875 when Danish invaders were threatening the monastery (the burnt it shortly afterwards). After many wanderings the coffin was finally buried at Durham and the cathedral was built over it. The bones of ST Ceolwulph, King of Northumbria and later a monk, were brought from Warkworth and buried in the porch of the first stone church of Norham, which was dedicated to St Peter, St Cuthbert and St Ceolwulph. Later, Gosperic, first Earl of Northumberland, was buried in the same church.*
*From church information leaflet.
There’s something about old churches that just can’t be replicated in any other structure,isn’t there? This is a really nice one. Love the entrance! I think you should publish a coffee table book of all the old churches that you photograph, Cherie.
I am a big fan of Gothic Church architecture. These churches were a pleasant surprise for me. Different in style but impressive non the less.
Wow! This is even more unusual!
Its main roof is completely flat?!
In some literature promoting the church is is heralded as a mini Durham. The church is impressive but I couldn’t quite see Durham in it…
Another unusual church that looks almost “Abbeylike” in size. First image is great, I’ve tried that a few times but once or twice it didn’t work for me.
As mentioned above in some literature it is referred to as a mini Durham. I am not sure about that, but it is an interesting church.