Key facts
- Denomination
- Church of England
- Address
- Oxford
Oxfordshire - Built
- 1280
- Listed status
- Grade I listed
Sources: Historic England list entry 1047275, Wikipedia, Wikidata Q581986
Before visiting University Church of St Mary the Virgin
Service times are not recorded in this listing. We cannot confirm when the next service takes place or whether the building opens outside worship hours.
We do not have confirmed information here about step-free access, accessible toilets, hearing support or supervised children’s groups. If these matter for your visit, ask the church about the specific service you plan to attend.
No direct contact details are recorded. Use the linked sources above or the wider local directory to continue your search.
About University Church of St Mary the Virgin
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a Church of England parish church on Oxford’s High Street. Its parish is formed almost entirely of university and college premises, reflecting its longstanding place in the life of the University of Oxford. Built in 1280, it remains an active place of worship and is protected as a Grade I listed building.
A church occupied this site during the Anglo-Saxon period, and the present building retains a tower dating from the thirteenth century. The university gathered here by 1252, later using the church for teaching, administration and degree ceremonies. A northern, two-level extension was added beside the chancel around 1320; its lower room accommodated university government, while books kept above became the university’s earliest library. Notable exterior features include Nicholas Stone’s unusual Baroque entrance porch and the prominent spire. Visitors may climb the tower for views over central Oxford and Radcliffe Square.
Getting there
Frequently asked questions
What denomination is University Church of St Mary the Virgin?⌄
University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford belongs to the Church of England tradition.
How old is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin building?⌄
The building dates from 1280. It is on the statutory register as a Grade I listed building.
Other Church of England churches in Oxford
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About this listing
This listing was put together from publicly available information and has not passed through our submission review process. If you represent University Church of St Mary the Virgin, you can claim and update the listing free of charge, and once reviewed we will mark the submission as reviewed.
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