OXFORD : University Church : St Mary the Virgin : Pilgrimage Guide

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford

Standing in the very centre of Oxford, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin is the spiritual heart of the oldest university in Britain, and has been the focus of Christian worship and of debates about religion, politics, and morality for over seven hundred years. Our worship is primarily Eucharistic and enhanced, during term, by the splendid University Church Choir. Out of term we welcome visiting choirs.

This building has seen historical events associated

knowledge and understanding of the Christian

with people of very different theological opinions

faith in your own life.

- Duns Scotus, Thomas Cranmer, John Wesley and John Henry Newman stand out – and today we

We are committed to the pastoral care of any

recognise that the variety of religious beliefs grows

member of the University who seeks our help and

larger, yet remain grounded in scripture and the

to providing formal worship of the highest standard

creeds as a base for exploration. In St Anselm’s

for specific University occasions. Give thanks for the

famous phrase, we exercise a faith seeking

gift of education. Pray for those who long to learn

understanding. Remember with gratitude all those

but lack the opportunity.

who have prayed in and around this church over the centuries. Pray for those who regularly worship

We are committed to promote friendship and

here today.

conversation between people of different faiths in the city. Pray those of other faiths in this city and in

As a Church of England parish church our purpose

your own community.

is to proclaim the love of God openly. We are an eclectic congregation drawn from Oxford and

We are committed to social action at home

the surrounding area. We are open-minded,

and abroad. In the 1940s, Oxfam was founded

community spirited and committed to thoughtful

in response to famine in Greece and German-

theology and radical ideas. Pray for a thirst for

Jewish converts to Christianity were welcomed

into the St Mary’s community. In Oxford we were

We are committed to the conservation and optimal

instrumental in the foundation of the Gatehouse

use of our buildings heritage. Give thanks for those

Drop in Centre and we support work with children

whose skills have enriched our buildings.

both in Pakistan and Kuruman, South Africa. We also support the Street Pastors project in Oxford.

We welcome concert givers from the City, the

Pause for a moment and consider where God may

University, and from around the world. We are

be calling you to action.

committed to improving facilities for this part of our work. Give thanks for the God-given gift of

We are committed to welcoming many visitors

music which enriches our lives and our worship.

and pilgrims to the church. We intend through development to make better provision for visitors,

We are committed to welcoming meetings,

offering both educational and spiritual experience.

seminars, classes, and conferences, both charitable

Our Vaults and Gardens CafĂŠ is committed to

and commercial into our Old Library complex. Pray

providing organic, fair-traded, and locally resourced

for all those who visit this church, for whatever

food together with friendly, smiling service. Pray

purpose, that they may be drawn closer to God.

for food producers across the world, especially for those struggling with climate change.

As a church we stand at the intersection between religious faith and the secular world.

OXFORD DIOCESE PILGRIM PROJECT

Oxford Diocese Pilgrim Project: University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford OX1 4BJ Website: www.university-church.ox.ac.uk

You might also like to visit other nearby churches in the Pilgrim Project: Christ Church Cathedral Shrine of St Frideswide St Margaret of Antioch, Binsey Alice in Wonderland’s treacle well Dorchester Abbey Ancient abbey church

PILGRIMAGE PRAYER Pilgrim God, You are our origin and our destination.

Travel with us, we pray, in every pilgrimage of faith, and every journey of the heart.

Give us the courage to set off, the nourishment we need to travel well, and the welcome we long for at our journey’s end.

So may we grow in grace and love for you and in the service of others. through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen

John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford

Illustrations by Brian Hall © Diocese of Oxford