St Faith's Church Dorstone

A Christian settlement has existed here since very early times. A stone church was certainly in existence here by 1256. Three pieces of a stone sill were found in 1826: JOHS. BR...........LAM: IN: HON ORE: BEA MARI SR'E: M:CC:LVI

Local legend links this **Johannes de Brito** to the **infamous ‘Richard de Brito,’** one of the knights who murdered Archbishop Thomas Becket in **1170.** However, all reputable evidence suggests that the assassins were disinherited and banished to Jerusalem, and died there. The link is far more likely to be to a ‘le Breton’ (de Brito) family much nearer to home. **John le Breton,** Bishop of Hereford 1269 – 1275 was born in **Abbeydore**, and his heart burial stone is in **Dore Abbey.**

The Meredith Maddy Charity Boards show an extract from his will dated 31st August 1643.

By 1826 the church was in a ruinous state and, when it was rebuilt, a tomb was disturbed and in it was a 13thc. pewter **Chalice and Paten** \- stolen from St Faith’s in 2005\, and never recovered\.

The interior was refitted with box pews and a balcony in the old churchwarden style, but was a poor structure. So, in 1889/90 this present building was constructed in the original **Early English style.**

The incumbents date from about c.1300, but from 1664 – 1953 all Rectors were members of the same Prosser-Powell family. The oak Reredos and the fine Clayton and Bell East Window are memorials to them.