OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT
St Peter & st paul, olney
Welcome to our church. Take time to walk, read the Bible, reflect and pray on the same path as John Newton, who came to Olney as a curate in 1764, and consider God’s Amazing Grace.
Newton would have baptised many babies in this font,
Earl of Dartmouth, and Newton records, ‘From one of
welcoming them into God’s family and reflecting on
the most inconvenient I now have one of the most
Christ’s own baptism in the River Jordan. Consider the
commodious houses in the county.’ Consider the
wonderful miracle of all who are baptised. Give thanks
wonder of God’s house, its provision of love, wisdom
for our lives and our families especially as members of
and nurture. Pray for all houses to become homes filled
Christ’s family.
with Christ’s love and nurture for the whole family.
William Cowper was a poet and keeper of pet hares,
The Revd Moses Browne was Rector of Olney from
friend of John Newton, who worked with him to
1753-1787. Because he was unable to support his
alleviate the suffering of Olney’s poor. He composed
13 children on the parish stipend, he also became
hymns for the weekly prayer meetings. Consider all
Chaplain of Morden College Blackheath and moved
who are in need. Hold before God all individuals and
his family. Since Browne retained the title, Newton
charities that work for those in need in this world.
was appointed only as curate. Consider all who work to support their families. Pray for all who find it hard to
John Newton provided supper to the many travellers
provide for those they love, that their burden may be
who came back to his house, having heard him preach.
lightened by Christ.
Eventually the numbers were so great that tickets had to be issued. After a few years, Newton’s family home
The New Year’s Day sermon 1773 was based on 1
was virtually rebuilt by the Patron of the Living, the
Chronicles 17:1-7 and is considered the catalyst
for Newton’s most famous hymn, Amazing Grace.
congregations not only filled the nave but the former
Consider this ‘church as a small house of God’ and
north aisle gallery as well. Nearby you can see Newton’s
reflect on the limitless house of God and his flock. Pray
framed brass coffin plate and an engraving of his
for all who struggle to see the boundless miraculous
only portrait, painted in 1780. Consider the prophets
kingdom of God.
of old. Thank God for his love and reassurance that as witnesses we are reminded through his word that
Henry John Gauntlett, the father of English church
there is so much more than this earthly life.
music, and composer of thousands of hymn tunes, is most recognised for Irby, written for Once in Royal
John Newton’s remains were re-interred here in
David’s City. Henry’s musical career began aged nine,
1893. His tomb is as close as possible to the original
playing the Olney organ on the former gallery under
site of the former Great House, just over the wall, the
the West Tower arch, for his father who was vicar here
location for his weekly prayer meetings. Reflect on
from 1815 to 1834. Give thanks for the unique gifts
the miraculous promise, that all will be transformed
that we have all received. Pray for all young people
in Christ in readiness for the heavenly banquet and
embarking upon a musical career today, that their gift
that our lives have not been lived in vain. Give thanks
may be a source of inspiration and pleasure to others.
to God for Newton’s ministry here at Olney and the fact that he continues to be an inspiration to many
The pulpit stands as a witness to all who preach God’s word and particularly to that of John Newton, whose
through his hymns, particularly Amazing Grace.
OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT
You might also like to visit other nearby churches in the Pilgrim Project: St Mary, Drayton Beauchamp Richard Hooker’s church
Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project: St Peter and St Paul, Olney MK46 4AD
St Peter ad Vincula, South Newington Exceptional medieval wall paintings
Website: www.olneyparish.org.uk
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Shrine of John Schorne
PILGRIMAGE PRAYER Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination. Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith, and every journey of the heart. Give us the courage to set off, the nourishment we need to travel well, and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end. So may we grow in grace and love for you and in the service of others. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford
Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford