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| If you approach St Michael's from the south, east or west and imagine yourself living here 1000 years ago, you will be reaching the North Gate of the city. The tower that you see before you formed part of the city wall with only fields and open countryside beyond to the north. This wonderful example of Saxon architecture and workmanship is, in fact, the oldest remaining eleventh century building in Oxford. |  |
We know that a Church stood on this site before the Norman Conquest because in 1086 the Domesday Book records the priests of St Michael's owning 2 houses, which is an indication of the wealth and importance of the Church at that time.
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The Church building, as it stands today, has evolved over several centuries. The Sanctuary and the south-east section of the South Aisle were built in the thirteenth century, the Lady Chapel and organ transept were added in the fourteenth century, and the North Aisle and the south wall of the Nave adjacent to the tower are attributed to the fifteenth century. Structurally, the Church and Tower have remained largely unchanged since the fifteenth century, but both have undergone cosmetic improvements over the years. |
From plates and photographs that are available, many of which can be seen in Canon Martin's book that was published in 1967, we know that there were once box pews on a stone-flagged floor with a parclose screen separating the nave from the chancel. This screen was later removed and, together with carefully copied additions, re-used to form the enclosure to the Lady Chapel as we see it today. Major restoration work was carried out in the middle of the nineteenth century at which time appeared an 'enormous and overwhelming' Reredos behind the main altar. This has long since disappeared, together with the stone-flagged floor and box pews.
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Many famous names are associated with St. Michael's. The three protestant bishops, Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer were held in the Bocardo prison, the Town Gaol that was attached to the tower, before being taken in 1556 to be burned at the stake in Broad Street. The door to their cell can be seen on display in the Tower. It is recorded that John Wesley was made a fellow of Lincoln College at the age of 23, and in the same year, 1726, preached the Michaelmas sermon from the pulpit. |
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Historically, there has been a link between the University and St. Michael's.
In the Middle Ages there was no Bishop of Oxford, and Oxford formed part
of the Diocese of Lincoln. The then Bishop of Lincoln, Richard Fleming,
founded Lincoln College on the site of St. Mildred's Church. The parish
of St. Mildred's was divided between the parishes of St. Michael at the
North Gate Church and All Saints' Church. Other colleges within the parish
are Jesus, Exeter, Brasenose and St. Peter's. Lincoln College remains
our Patron. Other important University buildings within the parish are
The Sheldonian Theatre, The Examination Schools and part of The Old Bodleian
Library. To this day the ancient custom of 'Beating the Bounds' still
takes place on Ascension Day when the clergy and members of the congregation
perambulate the parish boundary, passing through and around various buildings,
in order to 'mark' the boundary stones. The procession ends with lunch
in Hall at Lincoln College, accompanied by ivy beer.
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In 1953 tragedy struck. St. Michael's was severely damaged by fire, which was thought to be the work of an arsonist. Many of the Church's treasures were saved and the rare medieval glass medallions were rescued as the fire was burning. The organ and the chancel and nave roofs were destroyed. During the restoration work, services were transferred to All Saints' Church. The work was completed, under the direction of local architect G.R.S. Flavel, by Michaelmas 1954. |
In 1971 All Saints' Church was closed and is now Lincoln College Library.
St. Michael's became the new City Church of Oxford and the combined parishes
are named St. Michael at the North Gate with St. Martin and All Saints'.
Following the sale of St. Michael's Hall in New Inn Hall Street, the new
parish rooms were built on the north elevation of the Church in 1975.
The extension provided meeting rooms, kitchens, offices and toilets, which
have proved to be an invaluable asset to the life and ministry of the
church.
| The largest and most ambitious project in modern times was the restoration of the church tower in 1986. Visitors to the tower are greeted in the first floor treasury by a magnificent display of rare silver, the earliest dated 1562, and the Charter of 1612 bearing the great seal of James I. Climbing the tower you will pass the interesting clock mechanism, the door to the martyrs' prison cell, a display of the Towers of the World, and the church bells before stepping out onto the roof of the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and hills beyond. Entrance to the tower is through the glass Visitor Reception Centre where you can take the opportunity to browse and purchase souvenirs or religious books. |  |
The first Vicar of St. Michael's was Frederick Metcalfe who was appointed in 1849. Before that date Lincoln College appointed a Chaplain for St. Michael's. There has been a total of 10 Vicars and the current incumbent is a Priest in Charge.