A £10,000 grant from the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust (HHCT) will support the ongoing restoration and improvement of St Faith’s Church, Dorstone, as part of the Dorstone Settlement Timeline project. The grant forms part of a wider programme of investment in St Faith’s, which is undergoing building works to improve visitor facilities and create a permanent home for a new heritage exhibit exploring 6,000 years of settlement in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley. The funds will go towards the ongoing project to reorder the nave of the church and provide new accessible toilet and kitchen facilities within the base of the tower. “We are delighted that Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust is supporting this transformative project, which is helping us to equip St Faith’s for a dynamic and exciting future,” said Dominic Harbour, Project Coordinator of the Dorstone Settlement Timeline. “Not only will the new facilities directly benefit our community and pilgrims, but they will support the sustainable growth of visitors as we share our unique 6,000-year-old history through the development of new exhibitions, displays and digital guides.” St Faith’s is a historically significant, Grade II* listed building and is at the very heart of the Dorstone Settlement Timeline – a community heritage project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project brings together archaeology, natural history, architecture and living memory to tell the story of Dorstone’s remarkable past, from Neolithic monuments, such as the nearby Arthur’s Stone, to the medieval origins of the village. The church is currently closed so that vital building works can take place and is due to reopen in summer 2026 with a reordered and improved space, including new lighting, toilets and kitchen. The Dorstone Settlement Timeline exhibition will follow later, along with a host of heritage activities for all ages. A programme of free public events is already underway outdoors, including creative wildlife activities in the churchyard (11 July and 3 October), and a community archaeology dig in locations across the village (1-9 August). John Handby, Trustee of Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust, said: “This is an exciting project to renovate this important church and the heritage that surrounds it. Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust is delighted to support these renovations and contribute to the exciting future ahead.” HHCT’s generous grant will help ensure that St Faith’s is able to welcome visitors and host community activities for many years to come.
Dorstone: St Faith's
