St Birinus - This article was written by Canon Edwin Clements.

Canon Edwin Clements lives in the rectory at Blewbury, but recently his duties were extended when he was appointed priest-in-charge of the new United Benefice of Aston Tirrold, Aston Upthorpe, Blewbury, Hagbourne, North Moreton, South Moreton and Upton. In spite of his busy life he was keen to include St. Birinus in the Blewburton Hill project.

St Birinus window in All Saints Church, Aston Upthorpe. Image © Bernard Mattimore
King Cynegils of Wessex permitted St.Birinus to give his first christian sermon on the pagan burial ground of Churn Knob perched high above the Thames Valley overlooking Blewburton Hill.
Myth, legend and fact all merge in the story of St Birinus, but no misgivings are evident in the minds of the Christians who year after year go on his pilgrimage from Churn Knob, through Blewbury, to Dorchester-on-Thames. His arrival marked the advent of Christianity in this part of England, an event of lasting significance. He is also commemorated in the stained glass windows of St Michael’s church in Blewbury, All Saints in Aston Upthorpe and Dorchester Abbey. His name is even kept alive in Didcot by lending it to the boys’ secondary school.