St Peter's Church

St Peter's Church is an Anglo-Saxon church building in Monkwearmouth with solid stone walls, its west wall showing original masonry from the 7th century. A distinctive columned porch at the entrance displays detailed craftsmanship that reflects the skilled work of this early period.

The building was founded in 674 when Benedict Biscop brought craftsmen and stonemasons from Gaul to establish this significant monastic complex. Its founding marked the beginning of one of England's earliest monastic communities with influence that spread for centuries.

The building reflects its past as a monastic school where monks copied precious manuscripts and preserved knowledge. The spaces today still evoke its role as a center of early Christian learning in Northumbria.

The place is accessible on weekdays and offers refreshments in an adjacent bakery during opening hours. Visitors should prepare for limited hours and note the simple infrastructure that suits the historic setting.

The western wall still contains stones from 674, making it one of the oldest standing church walls in England. These preserved stones directly tell the story of Anglo-Saxon masonry craftsmanship.

Location: Sunderland

Inception: 674

Architectural style: Anglo-Saxon architecture

Part of: Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey

Website: http://monkwearmouthcofe.com

GPS coordinates: 54.91310,-1.37490

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54