SUNDAY SERVICES
Services are held every Sunday at 9.30 a.m. These vary each week to suit the needs of the Parishioners, from Holy Communion (1662), Common Worship, Matins and Family services. As we are linked with seven other Parishes a Group Services is held on 5th Sundays.
For further information, call: 01981 550769 or 202
THE LINK (parish magazine)
If you want to keep in touch with news from the parish read our parish magazine, The LINK.
HISTORY
For over 800 years, in Dorstone, there has been four distinctive churches, all built on the same site. The Book of Llandaff, a 6th Century charter, mentioned church lands in Dorstone in 1133.
Secondly, to expicate his part in the murder of Thomas a Becket, Richard de Brito's relatives founded a chapel, (to clear the stigma on his name) in 1256. This building was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Five hundred and seventy years later, 1827, this ancient chapel was taken down, and parts of the inscribed stone were found, -
JOHS. BR...........LAM: IN: HON ORE: BEA MARI SR'E: M:CC:LVI
Translated, this reads - 'This chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary as promised by Richard de Brito in 1256.
The third building, built in the old church warden style, was re-dedicated to St. Faith, but being of such a poor structure, was replaced in 1889 with the large edifice, built in Early Englsh style, that we see today, at a cost of £2,162.00.
This church consists of Chancel, Nave, South Porch, and the West Tower which retains the 13th C. travertine (tufa) arch. Thre of the bells are 300 years old, the other 500 years. The tower was reduced in height by 34 feet in 1950. It was reinforced in 2006. Cost £50,000!
The Chancel contains a 13th C. Priscina, and arched monumental recess, under which was preserved, behind glass a rare Sepulcharal Chalice and Paten. After being safe for 125 years was sadly stolen in 2005.
The Stoup by the south door is also 13th C. Thebase of the font is 14th C. though this has a modern octagonal bowl. The pulpit erected in 1885 has the four Apostles sculpted on the sides, each with quill and scroll in hand.
The marvellous stained glass East window - aprtly obscured by the extravagantly carved Reredos - commemorates the Rextors of Dorstone, who came from the same family for 300 years. The solid oak 'eagle' Lecturn was carved from roof timbers of the 1827 church.
Church Registers of Baptisms and Burials date from 1733, and Marriages from 1755. A record of memorials and tombstones taken in 1991 is always available inside the church for those researching family histories.