The MinsterMinster Originally a church with a group of clergy which served a large area. Later used to describe a church staffed by many priests or a monastic community at Southwell was founded in 956 by Oscytel, archbishopArchbishop Bishop who also presides over a group of dioceses or provinces. of YorkYork 1. A Roman city and early centre of Christianity. 2. Diocese and province under the leadership of the Archbishop of York., as a college of priests who would promote good models of the ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. in the region, and as a place of sanctuarySanctuary The area around the main altar of a church. Sanctuaries in the Graeco-Roman world usually comprised a temple which housed the cult statue and votive offerings, and an outdoor space often planted with trees. Prior to that it may have been one of the places where 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. preached and baptised during his missionMission 1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith. 2. The task of sharing faith. to bring Christianity to the north of England in the 620s. There may also have been an early holyHoly Set apart, sacred, especially implying coming from or consecrated to God. well associated with Christian baptismBaptism The Sacramental rite of admission into the Christian Church. The candidate is immersed in or sprinkled with water in the name of the Trinity and may also be anointed with oil. on the site. Of the early minster almost nothing remains apart from a column from the belfry-openings of the tower (now in the visitor centre). The Minster is on the site of a major Roman villa, parts of which were re-used in the church as decorative features. The use of Roman mosaic in the floor of the south transeptTransept A portion of a cruciform church, usually a hall crossing the nave at a right angle. may have been a feature of the earliest church built here.