Some believe that Glastonbury Abbey is the site of the oldest above-ground Christian church in the world, dating back as far as 63 or even 37 CE. The first recorded church to be built here was in 712 on the orders of King Ine of Wessex, but a community of monks had already been living here for some time — at least since 658, when the Saxons arrived. Read Article: Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor: History, Religion, Background