On the weekend of 13–14 September 2025, Trinity Church opened for both Ride and Stride and Heritage Open Days.
Ride and Stride is a sponsored event where people walk, cycle, or ride between churches, raising money for the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust. Heritage Open Days is a nationwide celebration of history and architecture — this year’s theme was Architecture, giving us the excuse to share the story of our 1875 Trinity building on the 150th anniversary year.
A Glimpse into 1875
Trinity opened on Friday 28th May 1875 with morning prayers, a packed service led by Rev. William Morley Punshon, President of the Wesleyan Conference, and lunch at the council chamber for 200 people. Rev. Punshon praised the new building as a true house of worship, built in the Gothic style loved by Victorians and not a water tight tank as had been the case ofearlier buildings.
The church felt solid and grand, with pews for 600 people, gas lighting, and excellent sightlines — every seat was filled on opening day. The architect was W H Woodman from Reading.
The East Window
In 1906, more than 30 years later, a stained-glass east window was added in memory of the church’s benefactors John Creemer and Elizabeth Clarke, gifted by their children. The window, by Hardman & Company, copies figures from New College, Oxford, representing Mercy, Faith, Charity, Hope, and Justice, with a small panel above showing the Shekinah, a symbol of God’s presence.
Renewal and Adaptation
Trinity has been reshaped several times to meet the needs of its congregation and community. In 1975, under Revd Walter Suffield, the pews were replaced with chairs, the organ was moved, and new heating, lighting, and flooring were installed. In 1997, Trinity 120 brought a Welcome Area, balcony, kitchen, ramp, and toilet, making the building more welcoming and accessible.
150 Years of Worship
This year’s Heritage Open Days allowed us to share this story with visitors. Trinity remains a place of worship and community, faithful to its 19th-century roots yet open to the future.