St Peter and St Paul Wantage parish church is reviving a centuries-old English tradition by once again serving parish ale. They are marking the occasion with a newly created hand-painted “free house” sign outside the church.
On Saturday 9 May, the church will host its second annual Parish Ale Festival, welcoming the local community inside for a pint of DiscipAle, brewed specially for Wantage by Indigenous Brewery.
The Vicar of Wantage, The Revd Katherine Price, said the festival reflects the church’s continuing commitment to hospitality and community.
“Having revived the old parish ale tradition last year, we’re pleased to be running this successful event again.
“We see it as reflecting the Church’s historical commitment to hospitality. We think of our church as a free house – in that God’s house is freely open to everyone in our community.”
The event celebrates the historic custom of the parish ale, once common across England, where churches brewed and sold ale to raise funds and strengthen community life.
The festival will begin at midday with a lively lunchtime session featuring traditional performances from the Icknield Way Morrismen and Mabel Gubbins, an all-women sword dancing group. Visitors will also be able to enjoy light lunches and the specially brewed ale throughout the afternoon.
Celebrations continue in the evening with a Cakes & Ale Ceilidh at 7pm, accompanied by live music from Oxfordshire folk band Melobo.
To promote the festival, parishioner and graphic designer Christopher Howson has designed a distinctive sign to hang outside the church, inspired by traditional pub signage. The artwork features crossed keys representing Saint Peter and a sword symbolising Saint Paul.
The revival of parish ales has been attracting growing interest across Oxfordshire in recent years, reconnecting churches with a historic tradition that combined fundraising, celebration and local fellowship.
The daytime session is open to all with no booking required. Tickets for the evening ceilidh are available online.