Incredible 1,000-year-old discovery proves Louth was '˜important centre of Christianity'

The fragments - made from the same limestone - clearly show the figure of Christ on the Cross.

One of the fragments was discovered, by chance,  during routine maintenance work undertaken by  the church staff.

The second fragment was subsequently found during a more detailed search undertaken by the church verger, Christopher  Marshall, who says he knew immediately that he was looking  at something “important  and exciting”.

Experts, Professor David Stocker and Mr Paul  Everson, have identified the fragments as part of a pre-Conquest tenth  century standing cross.

The stone cross is the earliest Christian artefact yet found in Louth, and it provides a tangible link between the present  medieval church and documentary references to an eighth and ninth  century Anglo-Saxon monastery, and a  tenth century shrine  of St Herefrith in the town.

The Louth monastery  was important enough for  one of its abbots,  Æthelheard, to be made the Archbishop of Canterbury by Offa, the  King of Mercia, in 792 AD.

St. Herefrith is believed to have been an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Lindsey who died a martyr’s death when the monastery was attacked and destroyed  by the Viking raiders.

A shrine was erected later to house his remains and it became a place of pilgrimage - offering proof that  Louth was indeed a very important centre of Christianity at an early date.

For the church community in Louth, this find has  been a source of immense happiness.

Reverend Nick Brown, the Rector of St James, 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.

“We have discovered a visible link with the early centuries of the Christian community of which  we are a living part.”

Chris Marshall, the verger, added: “The Louth Cross was erected at a very important time in the development of Louth and the early church.

“It gives me tremendous pleasure to know that I was instrumental in finding it and I look forward to it being on display for  future generations to see.”

Conservation work will begin in the summer, and the fragments of the cross will be displayed later this year in St. James’s Church,  Louth, for public to see.