The priest and scholar Bede spent most of his life at the monastery and almost certainly worshipped in the oldest part of the church.

The original church on the site was built in 681 at the behest of King Ecgfrith, who donated land for its constitution as a part of the Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey.

[1] Within the church, in the centre of the North Nave, the foot of a fine Anglo-Saxon cross is on display, its surviving Latin inscription reads: In this unique sign, life is restored to the word.

There is, in addition to the older windows, including a few pieces of Anglo-Saxon stained glass, a more modern window by John Piper (1903–92).The church also has on display 'Bede’s Chair' (but evidence suggests that this originated after Bede's death).

[2][3] Three works by Fenwick Lawson can be found in the church, "The Risen Ascended Christ", "Bede", and "St Michael and the Devil".