NY1750 : Holme Cultram Abbey/Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin-March 2016 (3)
taken 9 years ago, near to Abbeytown, Cumbria, England
Built of stone from north of the Solway Firth, Holme Cultram Abbey was founded in 1150 by Cistercian Monks from Melrose. In 1193, the community established a daughter house at Grey Abbey in Northern Ireland.
Frequently attacked by marauding Scots, the Abbey was raided by Robert the Bruce in 1319. The Abbey was dissolved in 1538, when the building became the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin.
The church was severely damaged in an arson attack on 9 June 2006, the roof being destroyed and many records lost. Rebuilt and reopened in September 2015, the site now hosts an exhibition on the Abbey’s history and a tea room.
The Wikipedia page can be found: Link with additional information on the “Visit Cumbria” site at: Link and the Holme St Cuthbert History Group site: Link