Who's Who

Skye Denno

Skye Denno

Vicar

The vicar of Marston and Elsfield since the 4th May 2017. Love God, love people and love this role. Mum to three and married to Joel for 22 years. Along with enjoying life as a priest, I love painting with acrylics and getting my hands dirty with gardening.

Andrew Gosler

Andrew Gosler

Associate Priest

Andrew served as curate from 2018 to 2022. He is a fully ordained vicar. He is professor of ethno-ornithology at University of Oxford and an expert on birds. 

Stephanie Bullock

Stephanie Bullock

Associate Priest

I am a priest in the Diocese of Oxford with permission to officiate. For a number of years I was a hospital chaplain, based at the Churchill hospital, followed by some years as associate priest at St. Mary’s Headington.

David Cranston

David Cranston

Licenced Lay Minister

I have been licenced lay reader at St Nicholas Church since 1986. I am Associate Professor of Surgery in the University of Oxford. Now partly retired I still has a major research interest in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for treating some cancers and benign tumours and have strong links with the National Ultrasound Research Centre in China. I also chair the Board of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. I am married to Rosie with four married sons and six grandchildren.

Joel Denno

Joel Denno

Licenced Lay Minister

I have been licensed since 2017. I’m married to Skye and am involved in a variety of the church’s activities, including our toddler group, junior church and Pulse. I preach once a month, in Marston or Elsfield, with an interest in Hebrew Scriptures on our faith. During lockdown I became more involved with the technical aspect of putting our Sunday services online, something that will continue to develop in the future.

Neil Barker

Neil Barker

Director of Music and Licenced Lay Minister

I am the Director of Music and committed to developing our music and worship styles to reflect the diversity of our community. I also serve as a Licensed Lay Minister and seek to encourage others in their
ministries and to deepen faith through understanding the Bible better. I am also a secondary school Maths teacher. I enjoy open water swimming and preparing for Triathlons.

Debbie Bailey

Debbie Bailey

Parish Administrator

I recently retired from a Finance and Office Manager role which I have enjoyed for over 25 years.
I am used to a very varied role in the workplace which has transferred nicely into Administrator at St Nicholas, Marston.
I now have a new addition to the family in the form of a small puppy with a big personality.
He comes to work with me and enjoys meeting visitors that drop into the office.

Vacancy

Vacancy

Vacancy

Eileen Palayiwa

Eileen Palayiwa

Treasurer, PCC Member

I am a retired Clinical Scientist and have been attending St Nicholas Church since the 1970s. I am a former Church Warden and co-leader of Coffee Pot. I have particularly enjoyed being part of the Pastoral Team and have recently taken on the role of Pastoral Officer.

Judith Piggott

Judith Piggott

Church Warden and PCC Member

I am one of the Church Wardens and also a member of the Choir. I am also a very amateur “flower fairy”. One of my main interests is creating community events such as the Advent Calendar and Easter Trail and I hope to return to re-arranging some of the activities/trips we were planning last year, in the not too distant future. I am also the Treasurer of Divya Shanthi Mission Support.

Duncan Hatfield

Duncan Hatfield

Webmaster and PCC Member

I am originally from Wallingford. I am chairman of Old Marston Parish Council and Old Marston Charities Trust, and a trustee of Mortimer Hall, and organise the annual OxClean event in Old Marston. I helped with Holiday Club, play in church band and help with Messy Church. I manage the websites for the bell ringers, Mortimer Hall, the preschool, the church and the parish council.

Maureen Davis

Maureen Davis

PCC Member

I came to Oxford in 1983 as a community midwife so have attended St Nicholas Church for 38 years. I have
been on the PCC and Rural Synod rep for a number of years. I help with Church activities where appropriate
and also work to help raise funds for DSMS. My book “Reflections of Life” is a collection of thoughts of
Creation gathered over many years of long-distance walking.

Jackie Whittaker

Jackie Whittaker

PCC Member

I work as a chef at Church house for The Oxford diocese.
At St Nicholas church I have taken on the role of running the lunch club which has grown in the last 18 months.
At home I enjoy scouting and spending time with my daughter and granddaughters. Every 3 years I plan to go to Australia to see my son. 
Jan Lawrie

Jan Lawrie

Church Warden & PCC Member

I am a (trainee) Church Warden, married for 30 years to a former St Nicholas Church Warden, mother of two and retired Assistant Registrar at the Dragon School (which educated my husband and children). I love the 8am BCP service and Evensong. I co-edit the Marston Times each month.

Helen Norman

Helen Norman

Family and Children Minister

Originally from Derbyshire, married to Luke for 24 years (curate at St.Andrews Headington). I have two children aged 11 and 15. I am a primary school teacher and have taught ages 3 to 11 and have run church youth groups and Sunday schools. I am a member of Oxford SACRE and have helped review the Local schools’ RE syllabus. I am an avid reader,  enjoy playing the piano and cooking for family & friends.

Ian Ross

Ian Ross

PCC Member

I am an enthusiastic trainee Christian with practical skills and experience and a desire to help maintain our
place of worship

Millius Palayiwa

Millius Palayiwa

Safeguarding Officer and PCC Member

A lawyer by background, roles include: local government, International Conflict Resolution & Peace-making,  International Relations Secretary for Quaker Peace & Service; Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, England,   Cathedral Registrar at Christ Church, Oxford,  Vice-chair of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT),  serves on Cowley Deanery synod & Diocesan synod, chaired 2 high profile inquiries into child sexual abuse and death of child in local gov care. Been at St Nicholas since 1970s and on PCC several years.  

Helen Barker

Helen Barker

PCC Member

I have always had a passion for ensuring that those who are oppressed and vulnerable are not forgotten and that they are welcomed and cared for. I enjoy finding out about different cultures.

Isabel Fenton

Isabel Fenton

PCC Member

I have been living in Oxford for a couple of years now, and I work at the university. I enjoy music, and I sing with the St. Nicholas choir. As a younger person I joined the PCC as I am keen to ensure a range of voices are heard.

Emily Meredith

Emily Meredith

PCC Member

I am a student interested in engaging young people in church and I enjoy supporting music in worship. I am a member of Pulse the church youth group and I sing in the St Nicholas Youth Choir. I help with the RSCM Voice for life course run for children in the St Nicholas choir.

Tessa Hennessy

Tessa Hennessy

PCC Member

Originally from Staffordshire, I have lived in Marston for over twenty years and joined the PCC in April 2023. I have a passion for the natural world and am actively involved in Green Church at St Nick’s as well as the Eco-Hub and other eco initiatives in Marston. When not working or volunteering for this and that I can be found happily pottering on the community allotments.

Vacancy

Vacancy

Vacancy

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

Inside Out Church

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About Us

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