St Mary the Virgin University Church, Oxford
St Mary the Virgin University Church, Oxford
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Grade I parish church on the north side of the High Street, Oxford, in the Diocese of Oxford. It is the historic church of the University of Oxford and the scene of Thomas Cranmer’s trial and recantation in 1555.
- Location
- Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Country
- England
- County
- Oxfordshire
- City / town
- Oxford
- Address
- High Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4BJ
- Postcode
- OX1 4BJ
- Built
- North tower c.1280, spire c.1315; chancel 1463; nave and aisles c.1490; south porch 1637
- Architect
- Nicholas Stone (south porch, 1637); Sir George Gilbert Scott (restoration, 1861); Sir T G Jackson (spire pinnacles)
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Dedication
- Mary
- Diocese
- Oxford
- Parish
- Oxford St Mary the Virgin with St Cross with St Peter-in-the-East
- Grade
- I
- Style
- English Gothic
- Grid reference
- SP 516 062
- Opening hours
- Monday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm. Sunday: 12noon to 5pm.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
Historic England records a north tower of about 1280 with a spire of about 1315, repaired in 1808 and 1850; Sir T. G. Jackson later rebuilt parts of the spire and restored the pinnacles, mainly in Clipsham stone, and Sir George Frampton renewed almost all the statues. The Congregation House, with a library over, dates from about 1320, and the north chapel from about 1328. The chancel was rebuilt in 1463 and the nave and aisles about 1490. A choir vestry was added in the late sixteenth century. The south porch of 1637 was designed by Nicholas Stone, with John Jackson as mason, and repaired in 1865. Scott restored the church in 1861, including refacing.
The listing notes stall work, sedilia and many monuments. John Henry Newman was vicar from 1828 until 1843, and the church is of historic importance for its connections with the Oxford Movement. The parish is Oxford St Mary the Virgin with St Cross with St Peter-in-the-East.