As was usual, the medieval Church decorated the inner walls of this country church. At Oulton Parish Church what remains of that decoration is a fish, painted high up in the wall opposite the main door. The current 'Pevsner' states that this is a scene of St Christopher. Maybe, but in a church where St Peter is one of the two patron saints, might this not also be a reminder to us that all who are Baptised are called to be 'fishers of men'? - to draw others to know the grace of God through Christ.

In maintaining the liturgy of the Church, we use both the Book of Common Prayer and the new Book of Common Worship. To gather in the Chancel is a pleasure, with the new organ near at hand supporting our singing. The Family Service helps to keep us open to every age being at home. The plain glass all round gives both light and a sense of directness in our worship.

We look not only to our forebears for our inspiration, but to what we ourselves have done. It is good that the roof has been well repaired recently to keep the church's witness there for our successors. Also a sewing party have made a series of new kneelers. Each design illustrates something individual for the person who has made it - and so the kneelers help us to remember that we should pray about the things that matter to us. (Pictures are at the foot of the page.)

The church has an appropriate Royal Air Force Memorial from the days of World War II. It reminds us of the urgency and perils of that time. Maybe some of those serving at Oulton then found our church a place of prayer and peace.

The witness to The Gospel in Oulton was enlivened in the past by the presence of chapels; of a Congregational Chapel, from 1731, in the woods near the Parish Church - and by a Methodist Chapel in Oulton Street. The tensions and hopes of that period are largely past as we live now with a wider sense of ecumenical commitment.

Farming remains at the heart of what goes on, but many people have a variety of occupations which take them out of the parish. Yet the village has a strong sense of being a parish and we pray that God will watch over and bless all for whom it is their home.

The Font & Fish	The Fish

A selection of new Kneelers in Oulton Parish Church