The rectory of Alfreton, with the advowson of the vicarage, was granted by Henry VIII. St Giles of Norwich owned six manors and advowson of eleven churches. The advowson of the vicarage was purchased by the late George Morewood, esq. Chetwode Priory surrendered the advowson of the hermitage to the Bishop of Lincoln in 1460. The lord of the manor held the advowson for the church. The Ashley-Cooper family also held the advowson of St. Mary's parish church. The church appears in records from 1077, when the advowson belonged to St Alban's Abbey. In 1958 the advowson was transferred to the Bishop of Salisbury. In 1242 they leased the advowson of Chingford to William of York, Provost of Beverley. No pastor could be appointed without the consent of the patron (advowson). He held the advowson of Tilehurst church, and so had the authority to order this. These were party mitigated with the selling of the advowson of the church at Ratcliffe-on-Soar. From 1280 it was within the advowson of Balliol College, Oxford.