In 1869 the then Vicar Rev, F. Kenney, died and after a vacancy of a few months the living was offered to the Rev. W. Page Oldham, of Orford, Warrington. Up to then the services at St. Thomas's had always been considered 'low church', but though Ashton had a large number of Catholics, there had never been anything like religious strife before.

On his first Sunday in the Parish, May 8th 1870, Mr Oldham read himself in at the Morning service. Later there was a Church Parade of the Lancashire Hussars and St. Thomas's had its biggest congregation of the day. Things were normal until the sermon when Mr Oldham entered the pulpit in a white gown. Immediately there was uproar and half the congregation walked out as a protest against the introduction of 'ritualistic practices' in their church. The Protestant miners were adamant that the new Vicar should preach in the black gown of 'low church'. Mr Oldham argued that only his white surplice was in accordance with the prayer book, and he was unable to understand how it could be a mark of Romanism or ritualism. Twice that day the vicar was booed as he left the church, and in the days that followed he had to be protected by the police. The landlord of the Angel inn, where Mr. Oldham was temporarily resident while the vicarage was being refurbished, was also warned that his premises would be burned down if he didn't throw the vicar out at once.

On the following Sunday the police were in attendance, but again as the Vicar entered the pulpit wearing his surplice, a large number of worshippers left there church, and again Mr. Oldham had to have a police escort to his lodgings. During the week that followed, posters appeared in the town condemning the Vicar and his 'ritualistic practices'. Others followed warning that 'riotous, violent or indecent behaviour' was punishable by a fine of £5.00 or two months imprisonment'.
On the night of June 12th the mob turned their attention on Holy Trinity where the services were considered 'High Church' and there was a surplice choir. They stormed the church just as evening service began. The Rector, Rev W .J. Melville, tried to calm his frightened congregation. The service was called off but some of the choir were attacked as they left the church through a private door into the Rectory garden. One of the choirboys had his surplice removed and torn to shreds. Some of the troublemakers were later punished, twenty one persons being brought before the Magistrates on June 30th. Six were fined varying amounts from £1.00 to £5.00 and the rest conditionally discharged.
On the next Sunday Mr Oldham entered the pulpit without his surplice and publicly announced that in future he would wear the black gown in deference to the wishes of the congregation, and to stop any further disturbances and perhaps bloodshed in Ashton.

This ought to be the end of the matter, but on July 16th the Rector of Holy Trinity invited the choir of St Anne’s, Warrington to his Rectory along with some friends, including Mr. Oldham. There were of course, those who objected to their Vicar associating himself with 'high church' which they considered Holy Trinity to be, and on his return to Ashton. Mr. Oldham was again met by a hostile crowd. Happily, however, this was the last occurrence, and Mr Oldham settled in to enjoy a normal ministry in the Parish, winning the respect of his parishioners, but only for a few months. On the evening of Sunday 30th April 1871, he died suddenly of a heart attack after taking services as usual earlier in the day.