“Faith of Our Fathers”: Frederick Faber’s hymn for the martyrs and its journey across churches

When Frederick William Faber left the Church of England to become a Roman Catholic in 1845, he gave up a promising career and many friendships. Four years later, he wrote a hymn honouring English Catholics who had been imprisoned and executed during the Reformation. “Faith of our fathers, living still, in spite of dungeon, fire, and sword,” it began. The hymn was written for one church, but over time it was sung by many.

Faber, conversion and the martyrs

Faber was born in Yorkshire in 1814 and studied at Oxford, where he came under the influence of the Oxford Movement. He became a priest in the Church of England before converting. After becoming Catholic, he joined the Oratory founded in England by John Henry Newman and later led the London Oratory. Faber wrote many hymns, believing that English Catholics needed popular hymns like those sung by Methodists and others.

“Faith of Our Fathers” recalls those who suffered for their faith and pledges loyalty to the same faith “till death”.

The tune and faith under pressure

The hymn is usually sung to the tune St Catherine, by Henri Hemy, adapted by James Walton. Protestant editors removed lines specific to Catholic hopes for England and adapted the hymn so it could be sung by all Christians remembering persecuted believers. The hymn’s theme of faithfulness under persecution has made it meaningful for Christians in many countries where believers face hardship.

Faber’s last verse calls on believers to show faith “by kindly words and virtuous life”, balancing courage with love. Catholic and Protestant congregations in Africa sing the hymn, sometimes in local languages. The hymn is often sung at services honouring martyrs, including the Uganda Martyrs.

Faber's other hymns and Newman

Whose faith shaped yours, and how can you honour it? Faber also wrote “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”, a hymn about the breadth of God’s love that is sung widely in Protestant and Catholic churches. Both hymns show his gift for plain, heartfelt words. Faber and John Henry Newman were both converts from the Oxford Movement, and their writings shaped English Catholic devotion in the nineteenth century.

Faber wrote for a small, persecuted church in nineteenth-century England. His hymn now belongs to Christians everywhere who remember those who kept the faith at great cost.