REMAINS of what could be an original Saxon church on the site of St Gregory’s Minster, Kirkdale have been discovered during work on the ancient landmark.

Work on the paving inside the church and trench outside its walls has been carried out with the aim of reducing dampness in the building, said the Vicar, the Reverend Andrew de Smet. He said that a chancel has been revealed in the minster, which it is thought could be a Saxon chancel dating back to the first century.

The work, which has now been completed, has been funded by The Friends of St Gregory’s and services are now being resumed.

Lorna Watts, of Harome, a prominent local archaeologist, has taken a keen interest in St Gregory’s over many years, with her late husband, Professor Rahtz Watts, leading archaeological investigations during the improvement scheme.

She said an axe had been found, which could date back to Saxon times.

“Kirkdale was a place where people met from a wide area,” said Mrs Watts.

“An interesting feature discovered during the project was that paving stones were in parts on different levels. But all the archaeological evidence is only approximation.”

Among the many historic features of the minster is its famous monument, an Anglo-Saxon sundial just above the doorway.

Despite its age, experts say it is well preserved because it was covered in plaster for several centuries prior to 1771, and thanks to an 18th century porch built at the doorway.

Old English inscriptions on the sundial reveal that St Gregory’s was bought by Orm Gamelson when it was in ruins and he had it rebuilt.

According to the inscription, the church replaced an earlier one, and, say historic experts, there is evidence of decorated stone slabs dating the site back to about 750 or even earlier.

Today, St Gregory’s is part of a united benefice, lead by Rev de Smet, including St Saviour’s Harome, St Hilda’s Beadlam, All Saints, Nunnington, and St John the Baptist, Pockley.