Sentamu joins on-move bishop for historic service at Whitby Abbey

The service was jointly hosted by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, and the Bishop of Whitby, Dr Martin Warner.

“As far as we are aware, this will be the first time since the Reformation in the 16th century that the Bishop of Whitby and the Archbishop of York have jointly hosted a service at Whitby Abbey, which stood as one of the North’s major centres of Christianity for around 700 years,” said Clea Warner, of English Heritage, custodians of the Abbey.

Dr Warner added: “Whitby Abbey is of enormous importance to Christianity and the people of the archdiocese, so we were delighted to have been invited here to celebrate together in this wonderful setting.”

The event had a 21st century influence, despite its historic setting, with the Holy Communion service featuring modern music.

The service was fitting highlight at the end of Bishop Martin’s tenure in the area, as he will shortly take up the role of Bishop of Chichester.

On the Jubilee weekend (June 2-4) the Abbey will feature re-enactments, with hordes of ‘Vikings’ taking on English ‘nobles’.