There is no evidence of a parishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century church on this site before the early 12th century, yet it stands just outside the precincts of WhitbyWhitby 1. A monastery was founded in Northumbria in 656 by Oswry, Christian king of Northumbria. The first abbess was Hild or Hilda. 2. Also see Synod of Whitby. AbbeyAbbey 1. Community of monks or nuns under the rule of an abbot or abbess. This is the higher grade of monastery, as opposed to the lower priory. 2. Building which they occupy., one of the most significant Anglo-Saxon churches in the country. Founded by St Hilda as a monasteryMonastery The house of a religious community in 657 and then called Streonshalh, this was the site of the 664 Synod of WhitbySynod of Whitby (664) Pivotal meeting at which it was agreed that the Roman church structures and hierarchy would supersede the Celtic tradition in England. St Wilfrid spoke for Rome and debated with Bishop Colman who spoke for the Celtic tradition which settled the date of Easter for use in England and accepted the customs of the Roman Church over the local Irish-style Christianity. CaedmonCaedmon First recorded Anglo-Saxon composer of religious poetry in English., the earliest English poet whose name is known, was a cowherd at the abbey and became a monkMonk Member of male religious community shortly before his death in c.684. The monastery was destroyed by the Vikings in 867 and was not rebuilt until c.1073, although many pieces of fine Anglo-Saxon sculpture from the early abbey are on display in the Abbey Museum.