THE smell of sizzling sausages and burgers filled Oxford’s Bonn Square yesterday as the city’s Christian community dished out free meals to hundreds of passers by.

It is the eighth year that people from churches across Oxford have come together to offer free burgers, sausages or vegetarian snacks as a way of spreading God’s word.

The group set up camp yesterday and plan to hand out up to 2,000 meals free of charge over the course of three consecutive lunchtimes.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, helped man the barbecue yesterday and chatted to people as he handed out food.

He said: “This is a symbol of what we think the Christian faith is about, the free, unconditional gift of God’s love.

“Someone asked me where the box is to put the money in and I said ‘no, it really is free’.”

While there was Christian music in the background and short messages from city preachers, Bishop John stressed there were no catches.

He said: “There is nothing manipulative about this.

“It really is meant to be free food, not a way of converting people on the streets.”

The barbecue also serves as a pre-event to the Love Oxford festival in South Park on Sunday, May 23, when thousands of Christians will come together for worship.

Neil Melrose, who worships at St Aldate’s Church and Stonesfield Church, was among those volunteering.

He said: “This really is a demonstration of God’s love to the community of Oxford.

“The churches just love working together like this, and we love having the people here.”

John Owen, a member of the congregation at St Aldate’s, was organising the event for the second year running.

He said: “There is a really good atmosphere.

“A lot of people are surprised it’s free, so we have to keep re-inforcing that.”

Cheryl Craft, 59, from Headington, was one of the people to take advantage of the free lunch, and said she was very surprised not to have to pay.

She said: “We think there ought to be a donation box.

“I’ll listen to the messages while I’m sat here and take it in, but I also appreciate the free meal.”

The free lunches are on offer again today and tomorrow.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk