A GATHERING for thousands of Christians in Oxford is returning to the city centre for the first time in four years.

Love Oxford started out in Broad Street in 2005, and includes a morning service and discussions on how to spread the faith.

It switched to South Park, Headington Hill, in 2009 following complaints that the noise disturbed students revising for exams.

Last year, the Olympic Torch celebrations in South Park meant a full-scale festival was not held, and this year it is returning to Broad Street.

But two dates in May chosen by organisers were rejected by colleges around Broad Street, so church leaders have picked a date in June instead.

Pastor Matt Partridge, of Emmanuel Church, which is organising the event, said: “We applied to stage Love Oxford on Sunday, May 5, but this was rejected by the colleges, and so was our alternative suggestion of Sunday, May 12.

“The last thing we wanted to do was cause any disturbance for students revising for their exams.

“We didn’t want to get into a clash with the colleges because Love Oxford is all about Christian unity – it would have been an own goal.

“We didn’t want to be contentious so we chose June 23, and then there was no objection from colleges.”

Father-of-two Mr Partridge, 43, who lives in Cowley, added: “Love Oxford is a great opportunity for people from different congregations to meet together.

“It’s a bit sad we can’t hold Love Oxford in May because in June a lot of students will have gone home.”

Churches taking part include Emmanuel Church, based at Magdalen College School, Oxford Community Church in St Aldate’s, St Ebbe’s, St Andrew’s and St Clement’s churches and the Christian Life Centre in Cowley Road.

The Rev Charlie Cleverly, rector of St Aldate’s, said: “The colleges objected because of the noise created in Broad Street, and there are students taking their final exams every Monday of the summer term.

“It’s ironic that quiet students are complaining about noisy church. This is frustrating for us but we didn’t want to antagonise the colleges so we have taken the line of least resistance.”

  • Love Oxford takes place on Sunday, June 23, from 10.30am to 1.30pm. For further information, visit http://loveoxford.org.uk