The Celtic Pilgrim Route

Lastingham is an important station on the Celtic pilgrim route along with Iona in the west of Scotland, Holy Island, Lindisfarne in Northumbria, Bradwell on Sea on the Essex coast, Whitby and Lichfield in the west Midlands.

The link with Iona begin when Aidan was sent to Northumbria at the request of the King to bring Christianity to his people. There he founded a monastery on Holy Island and gathered round him a community of Monks to whom he began to teach the Gospel. 

Amond them were four brothers, Cedd, Cynebil, Caelin and Chad. Two of them, Cedd and Chad became missionaries and later bishops. Cedd began mission work in the West Midlands, but soon he was called back and sent to Essex. There he established many churches, among them St. Peter's at Bradwell on Sea. But once again, he was called to new work, this time to found a monastery and community of monks to pray for the King. The place he chose, as St Bede the Venerable tells us, was lastingham, a wild and heathen place.

In AD 644 Cedd went as a translator to the Synod of Whitby and soon after his return he died of the plague.

His youngest brother, Chad, succeeded him as abbot of Lastingham, but eventually he was sent to evangelise the West Midlands and, from that the link with Lichfield was established.  

Prices for use of the Centre

Hire of the Centre    Donation 

St Cedd Centre Refreshments 

Morning Coffee
Tea or Coffee & Biscuits
£3.50


Light Lunch
Soup, Sandwiches, Yoghurt or Fruit Dessert
Tea or Coffee
£8.00
 

Cold Buffet Lunch
Selection of Cold Meats and Salads with Freshly Baked Bread
£11.50
 

Afternoon Tea
Tea or Coffee & Cake or Scone
£4.00


Full Afternoon Tea
Sandwiches, Cakes and Scone
Tea and Coffee
£8.00

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For more information or to book The St Cedd's Centre Please contact Mary Pettitt on 01751 417517

The Archbishop writes....

"Lastingham has such a fantastic history of faith expressed through pilgrimage and I long to see the life of the Church continue to thrive. Whenever I enter the building I am always struck by the sense of faithful  prayer that has been offered there during the centuries." 

Dr John Sentamu

St Cedd Centre

The St Cedd Centre is Currently Closed

The St. Cedd Centre is a diocesan house adjacent to Lastingham's ancient parish church, with its unique crypt, often described as "one of England's most holy places".

It has been a site of Christian life and worship since its founding in AD 654. Complimenting this national treasure, the centre offers a place for pilgrims and groups who come to Lastingham.

The St. Cedd Centre is an ideal place for quiet days pilgrimages, PCC away days, retreats, prayer groups, diocesan meetings... for lecto divina and seeking the Lord.

Christians of other traditions are also very welcome - Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Pentecostal, Free Church - and the eucharist and other liturgies may be celebrated in the crypt by special arrangement with the parish priest.

Set in the North York Moors National Park, Lastingham has been a holy place of pilgrimage and prayer since St Cedd chose it for a monastery in AD654, as St Bede the Venerable tells us in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People.

The Centre, ideal for groups up to 25 in number, has meeting rooms, a kitchen, toilets and, for summer days a beautiful garden.