Built during the second half of the twelfth century, Christ Church Cathedral is among the oldest buildings in Oxford and one of the smallest of the 42 Anglican cathedrals in England. It is also, uniquely, both a cathedral and a college chapel, and so, unusually for a cathedral, its centre stalls face inwards in the ‘collegiate style.
It was not, however, until the sixteenth century that it became either a cathedral or a chapel. For 400 years before that it was a priory church belonging to a community of Augustinian Canons (an order of priests who lived a monastic life following the Rule of St Augustine of Hippo). Their church, dedicated to St Frideswide (the patron saint of Oxford), attracted pilgrims who came to venerate her relics, which were housed in her shrine.
The building survived the Reformation of the sixteenth century, at a time when all the other monasteries in Oxford were destroyed, thanks to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey who founded Cardinal College (now Christ Church) here in the 1520s, Wolsey used the land on which the priory had stood to erect his great college, ejecting the Augustinian Canons but incorporating their church into his new project. Most of the monastic buildings survived Wolsey’s work, though part of the cloister was demolished and about 50 ft (15 m) of the nave removed to make way for college buildings.*
In the chancel can be seen the chief architectural glory of Christ Church; a stone vaulted ceiling considered to be one of the finest examples of its type in any English cathedral. Built in 1500 by the Oxford master mason William Orchard (who also built a similar vault at the Divinity School in the Bodleian Library), its beautiful ribs splay out from 12 stone lanterns which appear to hang miraculously in mid-air. In the centre of the vault small interconnecting ‘lierne’ ribs create eight-pointed stars, forming an image of heaven high above the Cathedral.
At the centre of each section of the vault is a boss, a large carved stone which acts as a keystone, locking the vault in place. The bosses have figures carved on them, which, on moving from west to east, become progressively more significant; a Bishop, an Archbishop, St Frideswide, the Virgin and Child, and finally, in the boss directly above the High Altar, Jesus. One point that is easy to miss is that the very last image, the face of Jesus, is not a star but and octagon. The number eight represents the Resurrection of Christ, which took place on Easter Sunday, traditionally understood as the eighth day of the week, because it follows the Jewish Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. So the stars lead us through the chancel, to the miracle of Christ’s Resurrection.*
The east end of the Cathedral, the Sanctuary, is the most sacred part of the church, housing as it does the main altar where the congregation meet to share bread and wine in obedience to the words of Jesus at the Last Supper. Behind this altar is a beautifully carved screen or reredos designed by G.F. Bodley in 1881, showing Christ on the cross and a series of Christian saints. They are, from left to right; St Michael, St Stephen, the Virgin Mary, St John, St Augustine of Hippo and St Gabriel.
*From Christ Church Cathedral Oxford – A Short Guide
The carved wooden angel looks interesting – is it a lectern, Cherie?
It was on the end of what I think were the choir stalls.
On checking my photos more closely, the Angel is at the end of seats near to the Altar.
Oxford is so beautiful!
But I think I still prefer Cambridge.
It must be the River Cam.
I haven’t been to Cambridge yet. We might possibly at the end of this year
Not one I’ve made it to yet. Excellent shots, Cherie. Especially that roof and rose window.
Thank you, I am glad you like it
Hi CherryPie , As you know I live so close. I was actually outside today ,waiting for my bus home. I love Oxford and Cambridge but as London Caller says , The River Cam is great and has much better facilities than Oxford. Or it just seems to be that way. Oxford is actually not beautiful , it is losing its touch and I have written to the Oxford County Council to tell them so. And they need to look after the very old Covered Market , it is actually a disgrace now. Cheap phone shops and shops from London , that is not what it is for. The rates are so high and only the other day we had a walk round and noticed one of the favourite shops , gifts and cards etc and a big shop has gone!!! Another loss for Oxford. The streets are filthy and if it was not for the Architecture , what would Oxford be.
We were only there for a few days so we didn’t notice the downsides that you mention. We certainly enjoyed the architecture and the places we visited. Walking out for dinner was a bit of a challenge due to the distances.
As I said to LC, we may be visiting Cambridge later in the year.
I noticed that I ‘missed’ quite a few posts. You do visit a lot of landmarks and you show the most beautiful things. The architecture of the Oxford Church is just amazing.
Also the post of the Tower Bridge is impressive. Did they sell all the poppies already?
The poppies were all sold not long after they went on sale last year. I am glad I was able to get one
These are all wonderful compositions Cherie… i like the angel playing the harp…peter:)
That is my favourite photo too
I’m liking the composition of your title shot and I don’t need to say that you are expert with your interior church shots, that Rose window is outstanding.
Thank you
I am glad you enjoy my church interior photos. They are always hand held without a flash. I rely on the natural lighting, so on my visits only certain shots are available to me