Cars brought to halt on bridge to watch man baptised in pond

A MAN became the first to be baptised in the River Thames in Whitchurch.

Charlie Brennan, 22, who volunteers at St Mary’s Church, off High Street, was immersed in Mill Pond by Rev James Leach.

More than 20 members of the congregation and his family attended a service before the christening, during which Rev Leach discussed the importance of John the Baptist during Advent time.

Mr Brennan declined to wear a wetsuit for the occasion and said the event was “peaceful but cold”.

He was influenced to learn more about his faith after seeing videos online and reading the Bible.

Mr Brennan said: “I had watched a few videos online and some people were talking about the Bible and that intrigued me, so I thought I should probably read it to see what it’s all about.

“I started reading it and thought I should probably get baptised because that’s what Jesus said to do.”

Mr Brennan said he felt “quite anxious” before the baptism but reminded himself of the symbolism. He said: “The first people that were baptised by John the Baptist were in the river and it symbolises going in fully and coming out a different person, being washed clean of your sins and starting afresh.”

He was guided by Rev Leach who lent him books about religion and answered his questions about the Bible.

He added: “I now have hope and plans for the future, which I didn’t have before.”

Rev Leach, 58, the team vicar for St Mary’s and St John’s in Whitchurch, said the idea came from his wife, Debbie, who is the personal assistant to the rector of Marlow. He wore a number of layers including a shirt, sweatshirt and hiking trousers while Mr Brennan closed his eyes and covered his nose as he was dunked.

He said: “They have adult baptisms down by the river there next to the church but they do that in all seasons, but I don’t know how regularly.

“My wife, who does wild swimming, is regularly in the river and Mill Pond, so we knew it was somewhere that people use regularly.”

Rev Leach also highlighted the symbolism of christenings in moving water during Christmas. He said: “As an experience, to be immersed then to come back up again is extremely symbolic of death and rebirth, which is particularly powerful.

“I didn’t think of it as being a particularly groundbreaking thing to do, it was more that I was aware of how powerful the symbolism is.

“People were slowing down and stopping as they were coming across the toll bridge. Although that’s not why we did it, it’s still something powerful to witness that faith is alive and it’s a public and visible act of faith.”

Chloe Brennan, 52, Charlie’s mother, said the experience has been positive for the whole family.

She said: “We were all worried because it was cold but we knew he would be all right. It has been positive for everyone and we’re really proud.

“It has also been a positive thing for our family, we have all been really pleased and it has all given us a lift. It’s nice to have Charlie’s enthusiasm and someone so keen and willing.”