Christ Church Cathedral

04/09/2026

Today we celebrate the feast of St Birinus. Known as the "Apostle to the West Saxons", St Birinus brought Christianity to the Kingdom of Wessex in around 635 AD. He is credited with founding a number of churches throughout the Diocese of Oxford including at Dorchester, where he sat as Bishop and died in 649 or 650.

You are warmly welcome to join us at 6.05 pm for Solemn Evensong to mark the day, sung by the Cathedral Singers.

03/09/2026

🎶 Find out about what's on at the Cathedral this month in the latest edition of our Services and Music list, available now at: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/worship-and-music

29/08/2026

It was wonderful to celebrate our volunteers last weekend and recognise their fantastic work at the annual Volunteers Garden Party.

We are deeply fortunate to benefit from the passion and hard work of over 400 volunteers at Christ Church Cathedral who make a vital contribution to our mission and ministry. Thank you everyone!

If you would like to find out more about volunteering with us, visit https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral/volunteers

21/08/2026

Is empathy an unqualified good? The Revd Canon Prof Luke Bretherton, our Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology and Director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics & Public Life spoke to the panel of BBC Radio 4's 'Moral Maze' this week as they tackled the issue of empathy in public policy and decision-making.

Listen now on BBC Sounds from 36:24:

Live debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week's news stories.

20/08/2026

Are you passionate about education, pilgrimage, and engaging people of all ages and walks of life?

We are looking to appoint a new full-time Education and Pilgrimage Officer to join our team at an exciting time as we approach St Frideswide's 1300th anniversary year in 2027.

Working closely with our Priest Vicar, you will draw on your expertise to shape and deliver our educational and pilgrimage offer for the Cathedral's congregations; local schools; the Diocese of Oxford; and visitors and pilgrims from around the UK and the world.

The closing date for applications is 10 September. For more information, visit https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/vacancies/education-and-pilgrimage-officer-0.

18/08/2026

Did you know that the walls and vaults of England's churches were once ablaze with colour?

The 'angel vault' in the Lady Chapel preserves the only remaining fragments of the Cathedral's medieval paintings. It was created in the second half of the 14th century using oil paints made with precious materials such as azurite, vermilion and gold.

The image of eight angels swinging censers may have fallen foul of a 1538 set of Royal Injunctions written by Thomas Cromwell. The new regulations saw much of the decorative art in English churches destroyed, removed or covered with whitewash if it did not clearly serve 'none other purpose but as to be [the] books of unlearned men'.

The angels were rediscovered during the restoration of the Cathedral in 1870-71 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, who specifically instructed that the original surfaces should be revealed and care taken not to 'disturb any ancient wall-painting which may exist'. They have flown above us ever since!

15/08/2026

We welcome Dr Jonathan White, Director of Music at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, as our guest organist tomorrow morning for a Said Eucharist with Organ Interpolations and Hymns.

Dr White will play movements from the 'Messe à l’usage des Couvents' by François Couperin after we say each part of the mass together. This recalls the historic tradition of 'alternatim', which is particularly associated with French baroque organ music, and allows us space reflect on the words. Our preacher will be the Revd Canon Professor Andrew Davison, the Regius Professor of Divinity.

Refreshments will be served following the service. You are all very welcome to join us!

13/08/2026

We're excited to welcome the Rodolfus Choir at tonight's service of Choral Evensong at 6.05pm.

The Rodolfus Choir is a leading UK Youth Choir for talented singers aged 16-23, who are singing for services around Oxford's chapels this week. The music for the service includes a set of responses by the choir's Musical Director, Sarah MacDonald; Charles Wood's canticles in F for double choir; and Britten's setting of Psalm 70, 'Deus in adjutorium meum'.

We hope the choir enjoy their visit - see you all later!

📸: The Rodolfus Foundation

12/08/2026

We were delighted to jump for joy with Jackson earlier this week!

Jackson is a chorister from Worcester Cathedral who is on a pilgrimage around England to jump for joy outside every Anglican cathedral. He was joined by the College Chaplain, The Revd Dr Kirsty Borthwick; our Operations Manager Joseph Denby; and our Head Verger Richard Owen.

With Christ Church ticked off, there are just 6 cathedrals left to visit on his journey. Good luck Jackson! You can follow his progress over at https://www.instagram.com/cathedral_jumping/

23/07/2026

Would you like to sing at Christ Church Cathedral this summer? 🎶

We still have availability for visiting choirs on Sat 15 (Evensong for the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and Sun 16 August (Choral Eucharist and Evensong). We're delighted to hear from ensembles of any size who are familiar with the musical demands and liturgical context of Anglican Choral Evensong.

This is a fantastic opportunity to sing in one of Oxford's most beautiful and historic buildings during an exciting period of the year when we typically welcome many visitors at our services. Your time with us will naturally also include a guided tour of the iconic Christ Church site - and the chance for a cuppa! 🫖

If you might be interested, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.