thedoor
www.oxford.anglican.org February 2014 no 254
Around the Deaneries: Mursley
God in the Life of an Archdeacon - page 16
Mission: Church Weddings - Centrespread
Win afternoon tea - page five
‘Noah’s Ark’ church in flood chaos By Jo Duckles THE heaviest rains in years have caused chaos to communities across the Diocese. Oxford was particularly badly hit, with two main roads into the city closed for days due to the high water levels. As houses flooded, the Revd Jane Sherwood, vicar of St Luke’s, Canning Crescent, helped vulnerable residents to access services that could help them. St Luke’s was also opened up as a refuge for those whose homes were under water, or whose drains were not working. The church has become known as the community’s ‘Noah’s Ark’.
Jane says: “St Luke’s was built 18 inches higher than the previous church buiding to prevent flooding. We’ve offered the church as a shelter for the last few days. I’ve been helping one elderly woman who did not have insurance and others who are vulnerable and have needed help to access the right services,” said Jane. Berkshire was affected with the Revd David Archer, Rector of St Mary’s, Purley describing how this winter’s floods led to four roads in the village being closed and only accessible by boat. “It’s comparable to our last big flood in 2003,” said David. Despite being closer to the river than
St Luke’s, Canning Crescent. Left: the Revd Jane Sherwood in her husband’s canoe. The couple helped people get to and from work along Oxford’s flooded Abingdon Road. Photos: Jane and Jeremy Sherwood
most houses in the village, the church was built on high ground and was not thought to have flooded since the 1940s. David said: “When it was built in the 12th Century it was recognised that it should be built on higher ground. In the worst place in Purley the water is about four feet deep.” “ -----------------------------------------------------------
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Out of 100 houses affected there are about 20 that actually get water flowing through them. The church does not flood. The Revd Mary Barnes, Vicar of St Luke’s Church, Old Windsor, said: “The river is really high. Thank goodness the church itself doesn’t get flooded but Ham Island is cut off. Residents can only get
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in and out by boat or wearing waders.” Mary says St Luke’s was offered as a refuge along with other community buildings in the village. “We’ve told people they can have showers at our house and told some more elderly eople they are welcome to stay, although most people prefer to stay in their own home.”
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