Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the Anglican diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also the chapel of Christ Church at the University of Oxford. This dual role as cathedral and college chapel is unique in the Church of England.[1]

Christ Church Cathedral
Cathedral Church of Christ
Crossing tower and spire from the cloisters
Christ Church Cathedral
51°45′00″N 1°15′17″W
LocationOxford, Oxfordshire
CountryUnited Kingdom
DenominationChurch of England
Websitechch.ox.ac.uk/cathedral
Architecture
StyleRomanesque, Gothic
Years built1160–1200
Administration
DioceseOxford (since 1546)
ProvinceCanterbury
Clergy
DeanMartyn Percy
SubdeanRichard Peers
PrecentorPhilippa White (Minor Canon)
Canon(s)1 vacancy (Diocesan Canon)
4 theology professors (ex officio)
ArchdeaconJonathan Chaffey

History
The choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
The choir, looking towards the organ and entrance

The cathedral was originally the church of St Frideswide's Priory. The site was historically presumed to be the location of the nunnery founded by St Frideswide, the patron saint of Oxford, and the shrine now in the Latin Chapel, originally containing relics translated at the rebuilding in 1180, was the focus of pilgrimage from at least the 12th until the early 16th century.[2]

In 1522, the priory was surrendered to Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, who had selected it as the site for his proposed college. However, in 1529 the foundation was taken over by Henry VIII. Work stopped, but in June 1532 the college was refounded by the King. In 1546, Henry VIII transferred to it the recently created See of Oxford from Osney. The cathedral has the name of Ecclesia Christi Cathedralis Oxoniensis, given to it by Henry VIII's foundation charter.

There has been a choir at the cathedral since 1526, when John Taverner was the organist and also master of the choristers. The statutes of Wolsey's original college, initially called “Cardinal College”, mentioned 16 choristers and 30 singing priests.

Christ Church Cathedral is one of the smallest cathedrals in the Church of England.[3]

The nave, choir, main tower and transepts are late Norman. There are architectural features ranging from Norman to the Perpendicular style and a large rose window of the ten-part (i.e. botanical) type.

Dean and Chapter

As of 1 December 2020:[4]

The university's four senior theology professors are also ex officio Canons Residentiary:

There are also other full-time clergy of the Cathedral and College, including the College Chaplain, School Chaplain and Precentor.[4]

Music

Organ

The organ is a 43-rank, four-manual and pedal instrument built in 1979 by Austrian firm Rieger Orgelbau.[11]

Organists
See also: List of musicians at English cathedrals

First among the notable organists of Christ Church Cathedral is the Renaissance composer John Taverner, who was appointed as the first organist by Wolsey in 1526. Other organists (and directors of the choir) have included Basil Harwood, Thomas Armstrong, W. H. Harris, Simon Preston, Francis Grier, Nicholas Cleobury and Stephen Darlington. The post of organist is currently held by Steven Grahl. (As in many English cathedrals, the organist is also director of the choir and much of the organ playing is delegated to the sub-organist or organ scholar.)

Choirs

The main choir, the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, consists of 12 adults (6 professional "lay-clerks" and 6 student "academical clerks") and 16 choristers (boys aged 7 – 13), and is directed by Steven Grahl. The choir was all male until 2019, when they welcomed alto Elizabeth Nurse, the first female clerk of Christ Church Cathedral Choir.[12] They sing in university term time, at Christmas and Easter, and have an extensive touring and recording programme.

Choir, Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Former choristers include the composer William Walton.

The Cathedral Singers consists of volunteers and is currently directed by James Potter. They are usually in residence outside of term time when the choristers and academical clerks of the main choir are on holiday.

The college choir sings every 1–2 weeks in term time and is made up of current undergraduates and postgraduates from the college.

Since September 2019, the Cathedral has also had a choir for girls aged 7-14 called Frideswide Voices. The choristers are drawn from schools around Oxford, and sing evensong once a week. The choir is directed by Helen Smee.

Notable burials
John Locke memorial engraving
  • View of the cathedral
  • The altar and vault
  • Cloisters
  • Chancel Vault
  • Tomb of John de Nowers
  • Stained glass window

See also

References
  1. "Cathedral | Christ Church, Oxford University". Chch.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  2. Levin, Carole (2013). The Heart and Stomach of a King. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-8122-2240-1.
  3. "Christ Church Cathedral – Miscellany". 6 December 2004. Archived from the original on 6 December 2004. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  4. "Who's Who in the Cathedral | Christ Church, Oxford University". www.chch.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. "News | Christ Church, Oxford University". Chch.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  7. "Dean, Cathedral Chapter & Staff". www.chch.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  8. "Canon Professor Carol Harrison – Christ Church, Oxford University". www.chch.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  9. "News | Christ Church, Oxford University". Chch.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  10. Diocese of Oxford — New Deacons Archived 16 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 16 January 2018)
  11. "The National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) V2.11". Npor.org.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  12. "New Chapter for Christ Church Cathedral Choir". Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  13. McGee Morganstern, Anne (2000). Gothic Tombs of Kinship in France, the Low Countries, and England. Penn State Press. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-2710-18-591 – via Google Books.
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