Oldest Christian Church in Western Europe ⎜14th Century Cemetery Tour ⎜

Today we took a walk around the oldest christian church and cemetery in Western Europe, St Peter's in Heysham.
It is a grade 1 listed church founded in 967AD and has had a continuous service for over 1,000 years making it the oldest running church in Western Europe.
the church itself is built using remains of the old Anglo-Saxon church of the same site from 800AD along with newer sections dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.
there are many significant pieces dotted around the cemetery, the first you see upon entering is the base of an Anglo-Saxon cross dating to around the 8th-10th century followed by the sundial shaft dating to around 1696 and a stone coffin dating to around 500-1500AD.
as you walk to the left side of the church there is the old archway, previously part of the church and dating to around 500-1500AD.
the cemetery itself is very peaceful, located in the corner of a small village on the edge of Morecambe Bay.
Located inside of the church is the viking hogback stone, it has been indoors for the last 40 years to preserve it from weather erosion. it is made of red sandstone and is around 2m or 6ft long. the carvings on either side suggest it dates back to the 10th century, though no one can truly know when it dates back to. The hogback lay undiscovered until sometimes between 1807 and 1811 when it was uncovered. it was reportedly discovered alongside a spearhead and a skeleton suggesting it was used in a burial. If that is true this might be the only northern recumbent stone to be found in association with human burials.
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[@adrianarosa217]

Parabéns muito lindo lindo o lugar maravilhoso vc está de parabéns🌸🌸😁

[@lakefromeshippingcompany]

That's a fine view of the bay. Coastal churchyards/cemeteries are very rare in my part of the world. 🪦

[@Graveyard_explorers]

@@lakefromeshippingcompany it’s a lovely view and they’re rare where I’m from too don’t see them very often