The first church here may have been connected to the early ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. church at Lastingham, as the 8th century cross is very similar to one found there. There was probably a wooden church before the 10th century stone church of which the tower and naveNave The central aisle in a longitudinal (basilican) church, often used for processions. Also the area used by the congregation during worship. walls remain. The church at Middleton was clearly very important in the 10th century, as five exceptionally-carved stone crosses were found here, of which three are on display in the church. One shows a warrior with a spear, probably the local patron of the church and donor of the crossCross Instrument of torture and execution used in the Roman Empire. The means by which Christ was put to death and therefore the primary symbol of the Christian faith, representing the means by which he is believed to have won forgiveness for humankind. The Cross may be represented as Tau-shaped (like a capital T); with a shorter cross-bar or with a circle enclosing the upper intersection (Celtic). In medieval art a cross made of living branches signifies the Tree of Life. St Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, is said to have discovered the True Cross (i.e. the Cross in Jerusalem on which Christ died) in 326..
References: Taylor and Taylor, Anglo-Saxon Architecture, vol. 1, pp. 418-24.