St Giles' Church, Oxford — Attraction in Oxford

The Church of St Giles was probably built as a private church by Edwin, son of Godegose, between 1123 and 1133, but soon had a huge but thinly populated parish of its own stretching northwards as far as the present northern bypass, and extending from Walton Street in the West to to the River Cherwell in the east. St John’s College has held the advowson of the church since 1553. It is Grade I listed building. The church was damaged during the siege of Oxford in the Civil War, and in 1643 its furniture was burnt by parliamentary troops who were being held prisoner in the church. The church was originally well north of the Oxford city wall, and the above print dating from 1834 shows that it was then still in a rural setting.

As Norham and Walton Manors were developed and Summertown grew, the church must have been very full. It lost Summertown when that village got a church of its own in 1834, and when in 1837 St Paul's Church opened, a slice of St Giles' parish became part of its district chapelry. Then in 1863 St Philip & St James (which originally included the present St Margaret's parish) took over a large section of St Giles' parish.

Inside the church there is a fine monument to the former Mayor of Oxford Henry Bosworth that was put up by his wife in 1683.

Victoria County History: St Giles' Church, Oxford The Bishop of Oxford Samuel Wilberforce wrote as follows about the parishioners of St Giles in his Diocese Book on 26 January 1857:

The mass of shopkeepers are attached to the Church as a respectable profession. No earnestness. The female members valuably aid in District visiting &c. & many more pious. The lower tradesmen very loose as to Church hardly attend except aft[ernoon]. Much good from Miss Hughes & the other Sisters visiting. The poor attached to Church. A great many of the poor go nowhere. Drinking the chief sin amongst the poor, especially...

Best Kept Little Fortress in Town! Staying at Keble College for a few weeks and thought that I would attend advertised Sunday Evensong at this 'local' church. Bells were ringing at 6pm. Doors firmly closed. Tried ringing vicar on number for from notice board re. when would church open, with no response. Attempted communicating by intercom beside door - choir member responded but was unable to advise of when the church would open for 6.30 Evensong. Door again closed. End of story. My verdict: Not a welcoming place by any stretch of the imagination - 'Jude the Obscure' pub in Jericho far more welcoming to strangers. Alas. The Bells, The Bells...maybe they're ringing a warning and...

St Giles is an absolutely beautiful, historic church located just north of the centre of Oxford. The church is open most of the time for prayer and quiet reflection. The churchyard is incredibly well preserved and has many beautiful and interesting inscriptions, a way to remember those who...