University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford

University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford The official page of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford, England

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin is a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive church within the Church of England. Standing in the centre of Oxford, St Mary’s is the spiritual heart of the oldest university in Britain. With dignified liturgy and beautiful music, we strive to be a community of intelligent and faithful Christian witness, unafraid to engage with the modern world. Our ‘Vaults and Gardens’ cafe is famous for its delicious, organic, and locally sourced food. The Old Library is a popular venue for meetings, conferences and entertaining. You can climb the thirteenth century tower for the best views in Oxford.

🌲Holywell Cemetery Tours - Oxford Open Doors | 12 + 13 September | Holywell Cemetery Holywell Cemetery is one of Oxford’...
08/09/2026

🌲Holywell Cemetery Tours - Oxford Open Doors | 12 + 13 September | Holywell Cemetery

Holywell Cemetery is one of Oxford’s best kept secrets – a haven of tranquillity and reflection in a city where space and stillness are increasingly at a premium.

This weekend, learn more about the cemetery and those who are buried in it with one of our special guided tours.

Tour times:
Saturday 12 September, 1.30pm
Sunday 13 September, 2.30pm

Holywell Cemetery, St Cross Road, Oxford OX1 3TU

For more information, see our website: https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/events

Open Doors Tours | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September | University Church and Holywell CemeteryWe're excited to announc...
05/09/2026

Open Doors Tours | Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September | University Church and Holywell Cemetery

We're excited to announce the schedule of special tours taking place at the University Church and Holywell Cemetery as part of the Oxford Preservation Trust's upcoming Open Doors Weekend:

Saturday 12 September
11.00am - Tour of the University Church
1.30pm - Tour of the Holywell Cemetery (St Cross Road)

Sunday 13 September
2.00pm, 3.00pm - Tours of the University Church
2.30pm - Tour of the Holywell Cemetery (St Cross Road)

For more information, see our website: https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/events

🎒Blessing of the Backpacks | Sunday 6 September, 10.30am | University ChurchHas someone in your family gone 📚 , college...
03/09/2026

🎒Blessing of the Backpacks | Sunday 6 September, 10.30am | University Church

Has someone in your family gone 📚 , college, or even university this week?

Join us at our 10.30am service this Sunday, for our special annual Blessing of the 🎒Backpacks🎒!

Whether it's a backpack, book bag, pencil case, sports bag, or even laptop case... come and get it blessed this Sunday at 10.30am!

📖Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I's Lecture | Thursday 17 September, 5.00pm - 6.30pm | University Ch...
02/09/2026

📖Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I's Lecture | Thursday 17 September, 5.00pm - 6.30pm | University Church

We are delighted to announce that on Thursday 17 September at 5.00pm, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, will be delivering a free lecture at the University Church, hosted by the University of Oxford's Centre for Law and Religion as part of a liturgical service.

For more information, or to reserve your tickets, please see our website: https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/events/ecumenical-patriarch-constantinople-bartholomew-i-oxford

Are you coming to the next on the 18th September? Add the University Church to your list of places to visit, and come ...
01/09/2026

Are you coming to the next on the 18th September? Add the University Church to your list of places to visit, and come and discover the place where the University of Oxford began...

🏰 Climb our tower for the best view of the city (and to pick out potential colleges!)
📜 Enjoy our Grade 1 listed building and discover more of our rich history
😮‍💨 Take a moment out of your busy day to take a breather in our calming space
🍰 Enjoy something sweet from .ltd

🏖️Bank Holiday Opening Times | 9.30am - 6.00pm | University ChurchThis August Bank Holiday, we can't wait to welcome you...
31/08/2026

🏖️Bank Holiday Opening Times | 9.30am - 6.00pm | University Church

This August Bank Holiday, we can't wait to welcome you to the University Church! We're open as usual from 9.30am - 6.00pm, so why not say hello and...

🪜 Climb our tower for the best view of Oxford
🏰 Explore our historic building and learn more about the foundation of the University of Oxford
🔎 Crack the code in our children's Codebreakers trail
🍰 Treat yourself to something sweet from .ltd
.. and so much more!

🏰Dreaming Spires Tours | Sunday 30 August, 5.30 - 6.30pm | University ChurchWant the view, without having to queue? Toda...
30/08/2026

🏰Dreaming Spires Tours | Sunday 30 August, 5.30 - 6.30pm | University Church

Want the view, without having to queue? Today is the ❗last❗day you can purchase tickets for our Dreaming Spires Tours this Summer

For just £13.15, you can...

📸 Get exclusive access to the best view of Oxford in the whole city
📖 See the location of the first library of the University of Oxford
🏰 Explore our stunning 13th - century architecture, including exclusive access to our historic Ringing Room

🎟Tickets £13.15. Grab yours from our Welcome Desk this weekend on Saturday and Sunday!

For more information about our tours, see our website at: https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/guided-tours

🚪Oxford Open Doors | Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 SeptemberWe're thrilled to be participating in the Oxford Prese...
29/08/2026

🚪Oxford Open Doors | Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September

We're thrilled to be participating in the Oxford Preservation Trust's Open Doors weekend this September.

This year, come and explore the theme of " ‘Everyday Histories: Exploring daily working life through the ages" by...

🏰Taking one of our special tours of the University Church and Holywell Cemetery
🖼Visiting our new "Equally Oxford" Exhibition
🧩Taking part in our fun children's activity
🎼Coming to our Choral Evensong service at St Cross Church on Sunday

We can't wait to see you there!

For more information about visiting the University Church, see our website: https://www.universitychurch.ox.ac.uk/content/plan-your-visit

Address

High Street
Oxford
OX14BJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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