*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Ancient cross found in Louth undergrowth

29 April 2016

Photos © St James’s, Louth

Rockery: one of the fragments in situ

Rockery: one of the fragments in situ

FRAGMENTS from a tenth-century Anglo-Saxon stone cross have been discovered in the garden of a rectory in Lincolnshire.

One stone was discovered during maintenance work at the rectory of St James’s, Louth; the second was found by the verger, Christopher Marshall.

Historians said that the stones were proof that Louth was an important centre for Christianity in medieval times.

Mr Marshall believes that the stones are the earliest Christian artefacts to be found in the town. It is thought that the cross would have been on a three-to-four-metre plinth.

“The cross was erected at a very important time in the development of Louth and the Early Church. So far, it is the only tangible evidence that has been found from that period,” Mr Marshall said.

Built in the 15th century, St James’s, on Eastgate, has a 90-metre-high spire. The discovery of the cross provides a link between the present church, an eighth- and ninth-century Anglo-Saxon monastery, and the town’s tenth-century shrine to the Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Lindsey St Herefrith.

The Rector, the Revd Nick Brown, said: “It is truly inspiring to find an object that may have been a focus for devotion and prayer many centuries ago here in Louth.”

Conservation work will begin on the stones in summer. They will be displayed in the church later this year.

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

 

Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power

13 September 2025

Join us at London's Southwark Cathedral for this one-day event — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction..

tickets available

 

Finding inspiration in the Psalms : a Church Times one day festival

2 October 2025

Join us in York for this one-day event exploring the gift of the Psalms through poetry, art, liturgy and music.

tickets available

  

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)