The Abbey Church of St. Peter and St. Paul [antikvár]

THE ABBEY CHURCH OF ST PETER AND ST PAUL DORCHESTER OXON.Thirty-eight years after the coming of St. Augustine to Canterbury, a mission was sent to the West Saxons by the Pope, Hbnorius I. He chose as his missionary, Berin (or Birinus) a monk of the Order of St. Benedict, who landed on the coast of Hampshire in 634. Within a year he had penetrated inland as far as the Thames Valley, and his success was crowned by the conversion of Cynegils, King of Wessex. At the time, Oswald, King of Northumbria, was visiting Cynegils, seeking his daughter's hand in marriage, and stood as godfather to the West Saxon King at his baptism in the River Thame, close to the spot where the Abbey now stands. The significance of this event is not only that it was the foundation of Christianity in the south and west of England, but that it was the admission to the Christian faith of the head of the royal house from which, through Alfred the Great, our present Royal Family traces its descent.This guide has been produced to help our visitors to understand and enjoy this ancient centre of Christianity founded by St. Birinus. As you walk around you will become aware that the prayers of the centuries have made this a very special place. May that awareness help you to honour him who is worshipped here.