One of the 7th century churches in which the Venerable Bede (673-735) and his contemporaries worshipped survives as the Chancel of the present church. The Victorian nave stands on the site of the larger Basilica. The original dedication stone can be seen, which dates the dedication as 23 April 685 AD. Other interesting features include the earliest stained glass in Europe, the tower and ruins of the Norman monastery, some unique Anglo-Saxon sculpture and three fine modern wood-carvings and a Piper window to commemorate the founder, Benedict Biscop, unveiled by HRH The Princess of Wales in 1985.
