The Parish Church of St Mary & St Andrew

The villages of Horsham and Newton St Faith are ancient dating back to pre-Norman times. After the Norman invasions in 1066 the villages were given to William the Conqueror’s armourer. His grandson, Robert Fitzwater and his wife Sybil built St Faith’s Priory in 1106. The Parish Church which replaced the Saxon church dates back to the 13th century. The Church has over its long history undergone changes and additions and today is a Grade 1 Listed building and includes some fascinating and unique features.

The West Tower dating back to 1290 is built of flint and freestone.
The Belfrey was restored in 1873-4, it currently holds six bells which are regularly rung.
The Chancel’s east wall is early English and shows a beautiful chequered pattern of squared faced flint and stone.
The windows, also restored in 1873, are in memory of the Twining’s Tea family.
There is a double piscina on the south side of the sanctuary.
There is a two storied south porch with a figure of St Andrew.
The finely crafted octagonal font dates from about 1450.
The rood-screen has 12 dado panels each depicting a saints and dates back to 1528.
The church also has brasses, a fine organ, a 17th century altar, a lectern dating from 1335, a 1488 pulpit illuminated by ten painted panels of saints!

Our Parish Church is not just used on Sundays but is open to visitors everyday of the year and is a place of peace and stillness for the local community. It is used for weddings, baptisms and funerals as well as by the local community for special events such as the St Faiths Festival (every October) and our Christmas Tree Festival. The local School and Pre-School also make use of the building for activities and special services. With its easy reach from Norwich, St Faiths Parish Church also has the potential to become a centre for concerts and the arts.

Later this year, thanks to our sharinging agreement the Church will be under going a major development. This work includes community facility, disabled access and a sound system.