In 1936, a stray cat began living in the rectory of St. Augustine Church in London. Father Henry Ross adopted the tabby and named her Faith. The cat would accompany Father Henry to services. If he was preaching, she would lay in the pulpit near his feet. If he wasn’t, they would sit in the first pew. Faith became beloved to the congregation. She had a male kitten who was named Panda. He was a cute little black and white ball of fur. The boys choir sang “All Things Bright and Beautiful” after his birth. In 1940, the Germans were trying to conquer Great Britain in World War 2. The Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe fought for control of the sky over Great Britain and German bombers attacked airfields and cities. Many of the bombers were sent to bomb London. On September 6, 1940, Faith led Father Henry to the basement and meowed for him to open the door. Faith then went to get Panda and brought him to the basement. Father Henry frowned and rescued the kitten and brought him back to his basket. Faith picked up Panda and brought her back to the basement and Father Henry returned the kitten a second time. This happen again and finally he gave up and brought the basket to the basement so Panda could sleep in it. On the night of September 7, the Blitz began. German bombers came to bomb London almost every night for months. Many civilians were killed as their homes or apartments were hit by bombs. Londoners took shelter underground in the subway. On September 9, the church was bombed when Father Henry was away. When he returned, he found his church in ruins with a big hole in the roof. The firemen told him it was lucky no one had been inside. When Father Henry asked about his cats, he was told there was no chance they survived. Parts of the church were still on fire, but Father Henry went inside and called for Faith. He heard meowing from the basement. He found the fearless feline in the basement under a pile of sheet music. Faith was on top of Panda, protecting him. Father Henry carried them out just before the roof collapsed. The story appeared in newspapers and Faith became world famous. She was called “the bravest cat in the world.” Panda became a mascot in a nursing home, but his mother stayed at St. Augustine. On October 12, 1945, St. Augustine was rebuilt. Faith was given a special medal of courage by the archbishop. When she died three years later, she was buried near the church gate.
https://warhistory.org/@msw/article/faith-the-cat-who-defied-the-london-blitz
https://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/faith.html
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