A festival rooted in community: 20 years of Christmas cheer at Oldham Parish Church

Oldham Parish Church has long been a symbol of community and acceptance, a role it proudly continues through its annual Christmas Tree Festival, which has now celebrated its 20th year.

The Christmas Tree Festival has just drawn to a close, but it served as a celebration of the strong community spirit at the heart of Oldham Parish Church.

For two decades, the church has opened its doors to the public during the festive season, welcoming visitors while raising vital funds to support its work within the community.

The Christmas Tree Festival spanned ten days of “sparkling celebration and festive cheer.” 

Throughout the festival, the church hosted a variety of concerts and events, with up to 50 Christmas trees on display, each representing local organisations and schools. 

The result was a vibrant showcase of community spirit set within the breathtaking surroundings of the historic church.

The festival also featured a wide range of activities, including guided crypt tours, brass band performances, a ringing bells concert, choir and carol services, school visits, and performances by a children’s choir.

However, the festival is just one example of what makes Oldham Parish Church such a treasured local haven.

From the warmth of the welcome visitors receive to the deep history embedded in the building itself, the church stands as a place of belonging.

The festival represents a lasting “commitment to the community,” helping the church continue to welcome anyone and everyone who walks through its doors.

The initiative began 20 years ago under the guidance of church wardens Marlene and Alan Armitage, inspired by the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival. Since then, successive wardens have carried the tradition forward, ensuring its continued success.

One of the first people to greet visitors is Susan Fozard, whose friendly smile and familiar hello instantly set the tone. 

As church warden and authorised lay minister, Susan plays a vital role in church life. 

She speaks passionately about the impact a warm and welcoming space can have on people’s lives.

“For such a small town, it’s a very impressive building,” she said.

“And it’s always warm, here and in your heart.”

Susan describes the Christmas Tree Festival as “such a wonderful fortnight,” explaining how it gives the church a renewed sense of purpose while encouraging even more people to engage with the space.

“We are working on bringing the community together,” she added, highlighting the wide range of activities designed to make both young and old feel equally welcome.

Reverend Daniel Burton echoes this sense of pride in the church’s strong community spirit.

Having served as a vicar in four parishes since 1995, he says he has never known a December as busy as Oldham’s.

“With the Christmas Tree Festival, school services and carol concerts, there is hardly time to eat and sleep,” he added.

“It is wonderful to see the church so busy, literally thousands come through our doors between the 1st and 25th of December.”

He is keen to emphasise the importance of the volunteer team who make it all possible.

“All of this activity is only possible because of an impressive team of volunteers who organise these events with military precision,” he said. 

“Teamwork is the foundation of all successful community activity.”

Reverend Burton added: “Why not come along and join us? 

“There is always room for more volunteers.”

The annual festival remains a much-loved fixture in Oldham’s calendar, welcoming visitors from across the town each December.

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