The first records of Oxford as a unit, are not those of a town, but those for a parish which has continued to the present day Oxford United Church of Christ, Congregational.
    At the time of the parish formation, the separation of church and state was unknown, and the state in fact assumed the authority to grant or refuse permission to form church parishes.
    The first petition for a separate Oxford parish was made to the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut in May, 1740, and on the seventh day of May, 1741, the petition was granted.
    After listing the petitioners and the boundaries of the proposed parish, the grant reads:

        "It is thereupon resolved by this Assembly, That the above said memorialists, inhabitants of Derby, Waterberry, and Woodberry, situate and living within the bounds and limits above described, be and become together one entire, separate and distinct ecclesiatal society or parish, subsisting and known by the name of the parish of Oxford, and endowed with all  powers and privileges wherewith other parishes within this government are by law endowed."

    Under the customs of the time, the parish had the powers of taxation of residents, public education, and other functions which are now considered to be municipal affairs.
    The first meeting of the society was held June 30, 1741. The session was held at the house of Samuel Twitchell; Isaac Trowbridge was elected clerk. Isaac Knowles was chosen as moderator, and a committee for prudential affairs was appointed. Members were Caleb Perry, Ebenezer Riggs, and John Lum. The meeting also voted to hire a minister, and appointed a committee of John Towner, Abial Fairchild, and Samuel Twitchell to hire a minister.
    A tax of five pence upon the pound of the List of 1740 was ordered, for the costs of Mr. Birdsey, but the residents on Rock House Hill were exempted from the tax.
     Ephraim Washband was elected as collector and treasurer.
    At a later meeting held October 6, 1741, the group voted to build a meeting house, near the site of the present Congregational church.
    The session also rescinded their vote to hire a minister, and agreed to a tax of one penny on the pound to pay the costs of the parish. Timothy Wooster and James Wheeler were appointed to hire a minister for that year.
    Meeting notices were to be posted at the houses of John Lum, Jonathan Griffin, Joseph Lewis, Isaac Knowles, Joseph Davis, and Joseph Wood. It was also agreed that the meetings on the Sabbath would be held at the house Samuel Twitchell.