The priory began to flourish, but suffered in the 9th century from Viking raids, eventually being abandoned.

In 1090, building works took place, the bones were moved to the newly-built church and it became a site of pilgrimage.

On 15 August 1871, the Feast of the Assumption, a temporary church was opened by Bishop James Chadwick of Hexham and Newcastle on Front Street.

The church was designed by Edward Joseph Hansom and Archibald Matthias Dunn and cost £2,500 to build.

The presbytery was damaged so severely that it was demolished, creating the current space open between the church and Front Street.