St Mary's, Foy, nr Ross on Wye
Like most of the other Archenfield Churches, Foy does not appear in the Domesday Book. However, at this time the Church was in the Welsh Cantref of Ergyng, and as such was identified in the Book of Llandaff being referred to by its Cymric name - "Lann Tiuoi". The true origins of the Church here could well extend back into the Dark Ages. Although this is difficult to prove, good indicators include the Church's dedication to a Celtic saint, St. Tvyoi or Ffwy (Wales has been cited as a centre of religious fervour in the Dark Ages), and in particular its location adjacent to water. Furthermore, etymology of the Welsh "lann" or "llan" has ecclesiastical connotations. As the Normans refused to recognise Celtic saints, they changed the Church's dedication to Saint Faith (Ancient French - Foye), and later, into St Mary. All that remains of Foy's first Church are a few stones in the North doorway and the broken font and stoup in the Churchyard. The present Church's origins stand in the early 13th Century, during the reign of Henry III, when the Nave and Chancel were built. Unusually, the Church is aligned from north-east to south-west probably due to the topography and the course of the river to which it stands parallel.
