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Around 447 AD, Irish missionaries known as "Culdees" began to populate the island and spread the message of Christianity. These monks built small shelters called "keeills" and worked on local farms for food, while they served as priests. This site dates back to the 5th century, based on the oldest cross (the Lonan Wheelcross).

In 1188, the small chapel first known as Keeill-ny-Traie (The Chapel by the Shore) was given in land to the monks of St Bees and the building was rebuilt. When the island moved into English control and the land divided into parishes. Keeill-ny-Traie became known as St Adamnan, the parish church of Lonan (Kirk Lonan).

In 1733, Bishop Wilson was requested to petition a new church by parishioners. The new church was completed a hundred years later, in 1833. The conditions of moving the parish church to a new location was the destruction of the old church, though this was never done. Soon after the old church fell into disrepair, till in 1895 when Rev John Quine was appointed Vicar and saved the small building with restoration.

The Friends of St Adamnan's was formed in 1968 to keep the old church in good repair and ensure it remained a as a working historical site and House of God.

Celtic crosses are held in a shelter built in the corner of the old church yard. One large cross is still in its (believed) original position within the old keeill churchyard. (5 years and 2888 days ago)