The church sits on a raised mound which was probably the site of a paganPagan Derived from Latin paganus, the Roman term for a rural dweller, this word came to be applied to those who were not Christian, particularly the followers of the classical religion of Greece and Rome and those who followed the pre-Christian religions of Europe temple dedicated to Wotan. According to the Venerable BedeBede, the Venerable (c.673-735) Anglo-Saxon historian and biblical scholar. Sent to study at the monastery of Wearmouth at seven; later transferred to Jarrow. Renowned in his lifetime for his learning, Bede wrote treatises on poetry, time and cosmography. Historical works include History of the Abbots, prose and verse versions of the Life of St Cuthbert and Ecclesiastical History of the English People., a prominent moment in the conversion of the north of England to Christianity by St PaulinusPaulinus, St Bishop of York 627-644. Sent to England with Saint Augustine. Accompanied Queen Ethelburga north on her marriage to King Edwin of Northumbria. Converted King Edwin and the Northumbrians in 627 and founded the first York Minster. took place here in 627. Following a council of wise men called by the local king Eadwine, his pagan chief priest Coifi decided to embrace Christianity and led the conversion efforts by personally supervising the destruction of the temple at Goodmanham. Although the current stone church dates from the 12th century there was previously a wooden church on the site which was built over the remains of the pagan temple.
References: Bede, The Ecclesiastical HistoryEcclesiastical History Full title: Ecclesiastical History of the English People. The best known work of the Venerable Bede (c.673-735), a five-book account written in Latin which covers the period from the Roman invasion of Britain to 731CE. It was later translated into Old English of the English People, 2:13