Historic Churches in Oxfordshire

St Denys is a 13th-century church in a small Oxfordshire hamlet not far from the River Thames. Unlike many early medieval parish churches, we actually know a fair bit about the origins of St Denys church at Northmoor.
Church Road, Northmoor, Oxfordshire, England, OX29 5SX

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All Saints, Nuneham Courtenay, is a striking Italianate church in the style of a classical temple, built in a prominent position overlooking the River Thames. It stands in the grounds of Nuneham Park, an 18th-century stately home now operating as a retreat centre.

All Saints Old Church, Nuneham Park, Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire, England, OX44 9PQ

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Heritage Highlight: Superb 18th century Italianate design overlooking the Thames

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This smallest of English cathedrals started life as a shrine to St. Frideswide, a lady whose reputation was made when a Saxon who tried to force himself on her was struck blind. In 1525 Cardinal Wolsey had half of the church nave pulled down to make way for his new Christ Church College. In 1546 the new see of Oxford was moved to this modest church, which also acts as the college chapel. The late 15th century vaulting is remarkable, with drooping pendants running the length of the choir.
St Aldates, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1DP

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Heritage Highlight: 15th century roof vaulting

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One of the oldest buildings in Oxford, St Cross may have been founded by St Grimwald around AD 890, but was certainly in existence by the late 11th century. It served as a chapel of St Peter-in-the-East and has now been converted to become the Historic Collections Centre for Balliol College.
St Cross Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3UH

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century chancel arch

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St Ebbe's is a 19th-century church retaining an 11th-century Norman doorway, carved with grotesque beakheads. The doorway may have been built by Robert D'Oyley, the Constable of Oxford Castle. The church was named for a 7th-century Northumbrian saint who may possibly have visited Oxford.
2 Roger Bacon Lane, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1QE

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Heritage Highlight: Norman doorway

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St Giles was built outside the city walls of Oxford in 1086. It is worth visiting for its 13th-century timber roof in the chancel, Tudor era Bosworth family tomb carvings, and Norman font. The consecration ceremony for the church gave rise to the annual St Giles Fair, which is still celebrated today.
10 Woodstock Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX2 6HA

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Heritage Highlight: 13th-century chancel roof timbers

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St Mary Magdalen is a 12th-century church built by St Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, on the site of a timber Saxon church. Look for Elizabethan glass panels in the Lady Chapel and a beautifully carved font from 1350. Amy Robsart, wife of Elizabeth I's favourite Lord Dudley, was buried here after her mysterious death in 1560.
Magdalen Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3AE

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Heritage Highlight: 14th century font and Elizabethan glass

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The tower of St Michael's was built around 1040, making it the oldest surviving building in Oxford. Climb the Saxon tower for views across the city and see the prison door from the Oxford Martyrs' cell.
Saxon Tower, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3EY

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Heritage Highlight: The Saxon tower is the oldest building in Oxford

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Not the oldest, but certainly the most popular of Oxford's historic churches, and the one which seems to have been at the centre of great events throughout Oxford's turbulent history. The first meetings of masters and students may have been held here in the 12th century, and the library of Oxford University was founded here. In 1547 St Mary's was used as a courtroom for the heresy trial of the Oxford Martyr's, Bishops Latimer and Ridley, and Archbishop Cranmer. You can climb to the top of the tower for wonderful views down onto the Radcliffe Camera and All Soul's College, and across the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford.
High Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 4AH

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A 15th-century private chapel featuring superbly carved and painted original woodwork. The chapel was built in 1449 by Richard Quatremayne, a close aide to Richard, Duke of York, and later, to Edward IV. It was to serve as a private chapel for Ryecote Palace, now sadly destroyed. The chapel features a musician's gallery and a beautifully carved rood screen. The font is 12th century, salvaged from an earlier church on this site.
Rycote Park, Milton Common, Thame, Oxfordshire, England, OX9 2PE

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Heritage Highlight: Superb 17th century roofed pews with royal associations

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