We have been hugely encouraged by the number stories we have received. St Aldates clearly is a place of fond memories for many of you and we continue to welcome more of your stories. Below are a handful of the responses we have received...

Students
“St Aldates was a great church to settle into whilst being at university. I really felt part of the student group at St Aldates with a variety of events and things that you could bring friends to. There is also a fantastic support network if you are struggling with anything or need help or advice. Thanks St Aldates for making my time at university a positive experience!”

“I was at SJC from '90-'93 and came into contact with St Aldates a church where people of all ages crammed into a building to worship God together in a way I'd never experienced before. I became one of the Pastorate Assistants for '93-'94, While at St Aldates it was the moments of deep silence which came upon a group of 300, 400, 700+, when God's Holy Spirit fell among us, that really blew me away. I remember people sitting on the window sills for evening services. I also remember Wednesday pastorate breakfasts with great affection - praising God at 7am with full band, then HC and literally breaking our fast together afterwards.”

“A (term time) regular at St Aldates during my undergrad degree at St John's, 1993-97. I remember doing schools outreach with TOAST, the reuniting of separate services and 'stripping down' of all church external activities during some incredible months in 1994-5, and instead hearing incredible teaching from David MacInnes at the weekly church meetings. Then of course the wonderful Risky Living! Life-shaping and faith-shaping stuff. Happy days.”

Youth
“From the age of about 16 (I'm 23 now) I started going to St Aldates. Loved it, it was like a sanctuary for me on a Sunday night. The worship and the teaching was always good and very encouraging for me spiritually. I got more connected with the some of the other young people, some of whom went to school with me. It was around the time when Philly Lopez and Norman Day, George I'ons, Sarah Goddard, those guys, when they were heading up the Youth. I was around when Oli Benyon started running Reality, and when he got married to Lois. Good times. Thank you St Aldates for the blessing and encouragement you have been for me over the years. I look forward very much to seeing everyone again next year.”

Study Abroad Students
“I was given the awesome opportunity to study abroad in England during the spring of 2007. Over the course of the 4 months that I was there I had the most amazing time getting to know St Aldates. I became good friends with a number of the Uni students there, attended Risky Living weekly, cooked with Jules for Alpha Courses on a few occasions, and was given the rare opportunity to go with one of the Alpha Courses to Bullingdon Prison. God totally transformed by understanding of who He is while I was there. What God did in my life over the course of 4 short months in Oxford and at St Aldates changed me forever. God continues to cultivate all of the gifts that you all introduced me to.”

Church Members
“My husband and I met at St Aldates in the 1950s, Keith de Berry's time. I remember especially the packed morning services (BCP) and the great preachers. You had to get there in good time to find a seat - I remember more than once having to scramble up to sit on a window sill! I remember prayer meetings and learning to pray extempore. I remember Sunday afternoon Bible study groups with Revd Thornton Dewsbury, and learning to love the Bible. Especially I remember holiday working parties from St Aldates to Lee Abbey and then to Scargill.”

“I moved to Oxford from America in the summer of 1990. I spent the 14 years worshiping and growing at St. Aldates. During the 14 years I met my wife and had two lovely daughters. St Aldates has been an important part of all of our lives. Can't wait to get back over to visit!”

Visitors
“I have visited your church twice over the last few years and really have enjoyed the service, worship and people. I have recommended it to my friend in Oxford and I know she has visited.”