conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

The most enduring legend regarding Joseph of Arimathea regards his foundation of the first Christian Church in England at Glastonbury, in the first century (37 A.D. or 63 A.D., depending on the source). The traditional view of the Christianization of England is that it didn't occur until the missionary efforts of St. Augustine late in the 6th century (other legends discuss a missionary journey to England in the 2nd-century, by Faganus and Deruvianus). The distinction between the Arimathean legend and the traditional Augustine view is a significant one - if Joseph really did bring Christianity to England as early as 37 A.D., it means that Christianity in England predates Christianity in other Western European nations such as Spain and France - and may even pre-date the establishment of Christianity in Rome itself. Thus, the claims of the papacy to be descended from the first apostolic church could be called into question. link