St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

Welcome to St Nicholas church in Old Marston and St Thomas church in Elsfield. Please do get in touch – we would love to hear from you. We are a diverse church who love Jesus and want to share His love with our community. You can find out more by following the links and scrolling down as well as on our Facebook page. A summary of events and services can be found on our calendar page. St Nicholas church building is usually OPEN daily for private prayer.  Our safeguarding officer is Millius Palayiwa: Tel: 01865 725423, Email: safeguarding@stnicholasmarston.org.uk. You can also support us on our giving page. There are many ways that you can join us and get involved. Just go to our volunteers page to find out more. Above is from our carols around the tree service – you can see more pictures here.

Welcome from The Vicar

Hello, I’m Revd. Skye and a warm welcome to St Nicholas and St Thomas churches.

In 2017 I became the vicar of this benefice. What drew me here was their simple, honest desire to be a church for all, that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has place for everyone.

What I love is that both churches hold in love a breadth of different opinions in theology, taste in worship styles and preference to services: some loving the 8am BCP communion service and others preferring the Celtic gatherings outside the vicarage.

Yet somehow within our diversity we strive to abide in the love of God, keeping rooted in Christ, and be connected by the Holy Spirit, journeying together to grow as disciples and learn what it means to be stewards of this beautiful world.

I believe our differences and diversity made us stronger. Together we can be an honest reflection of the love of God in our community. We would love to welcome you to any of our services, community events or socials, and if you want to know more or have a conversation with someone beforehand then please do email Debbie our administrator: administrator@stnicholasmarston.org.uk.

Information

Below is a summary of events, services and other information. Scroll down the page for more details.

Coming Up

Click on link for more info

Children and Young People

  • Energy: children ages 4 to 12, 2nd and 4th Sundays from 10:00 in church hall
  • Pulse: young people ages 11 to 19 second and forth Saturdays from 19:30 in church hall
  • Messy Church: children with adults third Sunday from 10:00 in church hall
  • Baby and Toddlers: preschool children with adult Wednesdays from 09:30 in church hall
  • Holiday Club: children ages 4 to 12 from 09:30 church and church hall – various dates
  • Junior & Youth Choirs: ages 7 to 18 practice nights 18:00 Fridays in church – contact Neil for details

Tuesday Home Group

New members welcome

We are back on 10th December 2024.

We continue our illuminating study of Luke’s gospel. If you would like to join us, do find out more from Sally Richards or Jane BurdMore details here.

Friday Home Group

New members welcome

The group returns to the vicarage at 19:00 on 13th December 2024. Please contact  Joel if you would like to join us in the Autumn. We are looking at the Letters of John. The group meets fortnightly. More details here.

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Donating to St Nicholas Church

If you would like to donate to the work of St Nicholas Church in Old Marston or upkeep of the church yard then you can use your smartphone. Open the camera app and hover over the QR code here until the image is fully in view. A message will appear on your screen: “pay.sumup.com”. Click on this and follow the instructions. We can claim gift aid of 25% on any donations up to £30. Thank you for your donation. We are now registered with the Parish Giving Scheme.  If you would like to set up a regular or one-off donation to St Nicholas Church please scan the QR code or go to: Marston St Nicholas – Parish Giving Scheme. If you are a tax payer please register for Gift Aid as this increases the value of your gift to us by 25%. For further information please email Eileen or call 01865 725423). Find out more on our Giving Page.

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Inclusive Church

St Nicholas is an Inclusive Church. This means that we welcome and affirm everyone in the name of Jesus Christ, whoever they are and wherever they may be on their spiritual journey.

Our aim is to worship and proclaim the Gospel in a way that reflects the love of Jesus Christ and so includes everyone equally without condition – whatever their age, disability, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. As humble learners in the school of Christ we are filled with awe and wonder at the beauty and diversity of God’s world. Do come and join us as we strive, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to live as a fully inclusive worshipping community.

If you would like to know more, do talk to Sally Richards our inclusivity advocate. She can be contacted via our administrator Debbie Bailey

Morning Prayer

  • 09:00 Monday 9th December 2024
  • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

    Holy Communion

    • 09:30 Wednesday 11th December 2024

    Evening Prayer

    • 17:00 Thursday 12th December 2024
    • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

      BCP Morning Prayer

      • 08:30 Friday 13th December 2024
      • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
        Baby and Toddler Group

        Baby and Toddlers

        • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 11th December 2024
        • At the church hall
        • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
        St_Nicholas_Marston_Pulse_270424

        Pulse

        • 19:00 Saturday 14th December 2024
        • At the church hall
        • For young people 11+
        • Returns 11th January 2025
        Inside looking out

        Morning Prayer

        • 10:00 Sunday 15th December 2024
              Christmas

              Christmas Messy Church

              • 10:00 Sunday 15th December 2024
              • Games, crafts, breakfast, action songs, stories, special guests
              • For all ages – free – all welcome
                candles

                Nine Lessons and Carols

                • 18:00 15th December 2024 – all welcome
                • Traditional Christmas readings and carols by candlelight followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Music from nine centuries of the church.

                Morning Prayer

                • 09:00 Monday 16th December 2024
                • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                  Holy Communion

                  • 09:30 Wednesday 18th December 2024

                  Evening Prayer

                  • 17:00 Thursday 19th December 2024
                  • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                    BCP Morning Prayer

                    • 08:30 Friday 20th December 2024
                    • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                      Lunch Club 260424

                      Coffee Pot

                      • 10:30 Monday 16th December 2024 church hall
                      • All those who have been bereaved and others who would like to meet more people are welcome to join us and enjoy company and light refreshment. For more details, please contact Eileen on OX 725423 or eileen.palayiwa@yahoo.com
                        Baby and Toddler Group

                        Baby and Toddlers (TBC)

                        • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 18th December 2024
                        • At the church hall
                        • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                        Bradlands Christmas 2019

                        Bradlands Carol Service

                        • 16:00 Wednesday 18th December 2024 – all welcome
                        • Traditional Christmas readings and carols by candlelight followed by mince pies
                        St_Thomas_Elsfield_Christmas_Market_301124

                        Elsfield Carols by Candlelight

                        • 19:00 Thursday 19th December 2024
                        • St Thomas Church Elsfield
                        • It’s free, everyone is welcome
                        • Traditional carols and readings
                        St_Nicholas_Marston_Beer_&_Carols_201224

                        Beer and Carols

                        • 19:00 Friday 20th December 2024 – all welcome
                        • At the Red Lion Public House
                        • Sing your heart out with your favourite drink
                        St_Thomas_Elsfield_Christmas_Market_301124

                        Elsfield Carols Around The Tree

                        • 18:00 Saturday 21st December 2024
                        • St Thomas Church Elsfield
                        • It’s free, everyone is welcome
                        • Traditional carols and readings
                        Holly in churchyard

                        Holy Communion Service

                        • 10:00 Sunday 22nd December 2024
                        St Thomas Elsfield Carols Around the Tree 161223

                        Elsfield Communion Service

                        • 10:00 Sunday 22nd December 2024
                        • St Thomas Church Elsfield
                        St_Nicholas_Marston_Celtic_240924

                        Christmas Celtic Gathering

                        • 18:30 Sunday 22nd December 2024
                        • Meet around the fire pit at the eco-hub at the vicarage
                        • Bring a chair, something to share and a blanket if cold

                        Morning Prayer

                        • 09:00 Monday 23rd December 2024
                        • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston
                          Christmas Eve Carol Service 2023

                          Family Carol Service

                          • 17:00 Tuesdsay 24th December 2024 – all welcome
                          • Carols, Nativity, bible readings and stories – especially suitable for children

                          Christmas Eve Carol Service 2023

                          Carol Service

                          • 19:00 24th December 2024 – all welcome
                          • Carols, bible readings and poems
                          Christmas Eve Carol Service 2023

                          Midnight Mass

                          • 23:30 24th December 2024 – all welcome
                          • Holy communnion, carols and bible readings
                          St_Nicholas_Church_Old_Marston_Christmas_Picture

                          Christmas Day Communion

                          • 10:00 25th December 2024 – all welcome
                          • Family communion at St Nicholas Church
                          St_Nicholas_Church_Old_Marston_Christmas_Picture

                          Elsfield Christmas Day Service

                          • 12:00 Wednesday 25th December 2024 – all welcome
                          • Family communion at St Thomas Church Elsfield

                          Holly in churchyard

                          Holy Communion Service

                          • 10:00 Sunday 29th December 2024
                          Secret Garden Spring 2023

                          Community Celebration Service

                          • 10:00 Sunday 5th January 2025
                          • All welcome
                          Evensong 05/06/2022

                          Evensong

                          • 18:00 Sunday 5th January 2025
                          • All  Welcome

                            Holy Communion

                            • 09:30 Wednesday 8th January 2025

                            Evening Prayer

                            • 17:00 Thursday 9th January 2025
                            • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                              BCP Morning Prayer

                              • 08:30 Friday 10th January 2025
                              • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                                Baby and Toddler Group

                                Baby and Toddlers

                                • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 8th January 2025
                                • At the church hall
                                • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                                St_Nicholas_Marston_Pulse_270424

                                Pulse

                                • 19:00 Saturday 11th January 2025
                                • At the church hall
                                • For young people 11+
                                • Returns 11th January 2025
                                Inside looking out

                                Holy Communion Service

                                • 10:00 Sunday 12th January 2025

                                Morning Prayer

                                • 09:00 Monday 13th January 2025
                                • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                  Holy Communion

                                  • 09:30 Wednesday 15th January 2025

                                  Evening Prayer

                                  • 17:00 Thursday 16th January 2025
                                  • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                    BCP Morning Prayer

                                    • 09:00 Friday 17th January 2025
                                    • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                                      Baby and Toddler Group

                                      Baby and Toddlers

                                      • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 15th January 2025
                                      • At the church hall
                                      • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                                      Messy Church 17th November 2024

                                      Messy Church

                                      • 10:00 Sunday 19th January 2025
                                      • Games, crafts, breakfast, action songs, stories, special guests
                                      • For all ages – free – all welcome
                                        Messy Church 16th July 2023

                                        Churches Together New Year Service

                                        • At St Nicholas Church
                                        • 16:00 Sunday 19th January 2025

                                              Morning Prayer

                                              • 09:00 Monday 20th January 2025
                                              • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                Holy Communion

                                                • 09:30 Wednesday 22nd January 2025

                                                Evening Prayer

                                                • 17:00 Thursday 23rd January 2025
                                                • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                  BCP Morning Prayer

                                                  • 09:00 Friday 24th January 2025
                                                  • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                                                    Lunch Club 260424

                                                    Coffee Pot

                                                    • 10:30 Monday 20th January 2025 church hall
                                                    • All those who have been bereaved and others who would like to meet more people are welcome to join us and enjoy company and light refreshment. For more details, please contact Eileen on OX 725423 or eileen.palayiwa@yahoo.com
                                                      Baby and Toddler Group

                                                      Baby and Toddlers

                                                      • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 22nd January 2025
                                                      • At the church hall
                                                      • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                                                      St_Nicholas_Marston_Pulse_270424

                                                      Pulse

                                                      • 19:00 Saturday 25th January 2025
                                                      • At the church hall
                                                      • For young people 11+
                                                        Buttercups in Spring

                                                        Holy Communion Service

                                                        • 10:00 Sunday 26th January 2025
                                                        Pause4Thought

                                                        Pause for Thought

                                                        • 18:00 Sunday 26th January 2025 in church hall
                                                        • Our place in the universe
                                                        • Speaker: Professor Stephen Smartt
                                                        • 40 minutes – followed by Q&A and refreshments

                                                        Morning Prayer

                                                        • 09:00 Monday 27th January 2025
                                                        • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                          Holy Communion

                                                          • 09:30 Wednesday 29th January 2025

                                                          Evening Prayer

                                                          • 17:00 Thursday 30th January 2025
                                                          • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                            BCP Morning Prayer

                                                            • 09:00 Friday 31st January 2025
                                                            • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                                                              Baby and Toddler Group

                                                              Baby and Toddlers

                                                              • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 29th January 2025
                                                              • At the church hall
                                                              • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                                                              Lunch Club 260424

                                                              All Age Lunch Club

                                                              • 12:30 Friday 31st January 2025
                                                              • At the church hall
                                                              • £4
                                                              • Book with the administrator no later than Tuesday 28th January 2025
                                                              St_Nicholas_Marston_Celtic_240924

                                                              Celtic Gathering Spring Season

                                                              • 18:30  Saturday 1st February 2025
                                                              • Meet around the fire pit at the eco-hub at the vicarage
                                                              • Bring a chair, something to share and a blanket if cold
                                                              • All are welcome
                                                              Secret Garden Spring 2023

                                                              Community Celebration Service

                                                              • 10:00 Sunday 2nd February 2025
                                                              • All welcome
                                                              Evensong 05/06/2022

                                                              Evensong

                                                              • 18:00 Sunday 2nd February 2025
                                                              • All  Welcome

                                                                Morning Prayer

                                                                • 09:00 Monday 3rd February 2025
                                                                • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                                  Holy Communion

                                                                  • 09:30 Wednesday 5th February 2025

                                                                  Evening Prayer

                                                                  • 17:00 Thursday 6th February 2025
                                                                  • St Nicholas Church, Old Marston

                                                                    BCP Morning Prayer

                                                                    • 09:00 Friday 7th February 2025
                                                                    • St Thomas Church, Elsfield
                                                                      Baby and Toddler Group

                                                                      Baby and Toddlers

                                                                      • 09:30 to 11:30 Wednesday 5th February 2025
                                                                      • At the church hall
                                                                      • Free – all accompanied babies and toddlers welcome
                                                                      St_Nicholas_Marston_Pulse_270424

                                                                      Pulse

                                                                      • 19:00 Saturday 8th February 2025
                                                                      • At the church hall
                                                                      • For young people 11+
                                                                        Buttercups in Spring

                                                                        Holy Communion Service

                                                                        • 10:00 Sunday 9th February 2025

                                                                        Full Calendar of Events

                                                                        Follow this link for the full calendars of all services and church hall bookings.

                                                                        Contact Us

                                                                        Administrator

                                                                        St Nicholas Church

                                                                        C/O Marston Vicarage

                                                                        Elsfield Road

                                                                        Old Marston

                                                                        OX3 0PR

                                                                        Email: administrator

                                                                        Tel: 01865 580 354

                                                                        09:30-14:30 Tu/Th

                                                                        About Us

                                                                        Your local churches at the heart of the community of Old Marston in Oxford and Elsfield village in Oxfordshire.

                                                                        You can support the work of St Nicholas and St Thomas in our communities. Go to our giving page to find out more.