DOORWAY / NIGHT STAIRS – Steps led from the monks' dormitory into the Church and they were used for attending the night Services. Service times varied slightly according to season as day and night hours were each equally divided into twelve. The Opus Dei, the daily offices, were: Vigils, Matins, Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline.

SUNDIAL –This unusual 16th century double sundial is carved on the outer corner stone nearest the porch. It has two faces using: Arabic numbers and Roman numbers.

PORCH – The doorway is medieval but the present porch, of typically Herefordshire timberframing on low walls, is from the 1630s restoration with later repairs.

THE LAUDIAN CHURCH

LAUDIAN RESTORATION –Between 1537 and c.1633 the Church remained untended and partly ruinous. A tradition refers to a cleric or monk, 'Sir' John Gyles, who read his prayers under a sheltering arch. The survival of colour meant some areas were weatherproof – traditionally housing cattle. Sir John Scudamore of Holme Lacy (1601–1671) 1st Viscount Scudamore of Sligo, diplomat and Ambassador to France for King Charles I paid for the first restoration of Dore Abbey. He followed a design approved by his friend, William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury (1633–1645): the altar was raised on steps at the east end, behind rails overlooked by stainedglass windows. The screen, gallery and all wood decorations were painted and gilded. Surviving from the furnishings of the area between the rails and screen are: the pulpit, the lower part of the music table, wooden forms / benches, and the Bishop's Chair. The candlesticks, service book cushion and napkins are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Dore was reconsecrated as a Parish Church on Palm Sunday, 22nd March 1634, Viscount Scudamore's birthday. (The second period of restoration was c.1701–1710.)

JOHN ABEL (1577–1674) of Sarnesfield– He was buried at Sarnesfield, Herefordshire, in a tomb, with an epitaph, of his own design. He was the loyal Carpenter presented to King Charles I in September 1645, after the raising of the siege of Hereford where he is said to have helped with making weapons. John Abel (or Abell), a Roman Catholic, was twice summoned before a Church Court for recusancy. He was noted for his superb, versatile, Renaissanceinfluenced buildings which here, in Dore Abbey, included the oak roof, ceilings, box pews, pulpit, rails and screen. John Abel also built the Market Hall (now called the Grange) in Leominster, Brecon Town Hall and Lady Hawkins Grammar School in Kington. John Abel's dates have been questioned but as he did die in poverty, requiring Poor Relief, he may have really lived to be 97 years old.