The first church constructed on this site was founded by monks from the Medehampstead Abbey in 680 CE during the reign of King Offa of Mercia. Around 750 CE, the original wooden building was demolished and replaced with the All Saints Church, built to serve the monastery. A century later, the abbey came under siege from marauding Vikings. The abbey was destroyed and the church was greatly damaged but withstood the onslaught. Around 970 CE repairs to the church created what visitors see today. This massive church is only part…
