Ripon College Cuddesdon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ripon College Cuddesdon

College grounds
Former name	Oxford Diocesan Seminary at Cuddesdon Cuddesdon College Ripon Hall
Type	Theological college
Established	1853 (Cuddesdon College) 1897/1898 (Ripon Hall) 1974 (Ripon College Cuddesdon)
Founder	Samuel Wilberforce
Religious affiliation	Church of England, Diocese of Oxford
Principal	Humphrey Southern (2015–present)
Location	Cuddesdon , Canterbury , England
Building details
General information
Architectural style	English Gothic Revival
Design and construction
Architect	G. E. Street
Designations	Grade II listed

Ripon College Cuddesdon (often called RCC) is a special college in Cuddesdon, a village near Oxford, England. It's a Church of England theological college, which means it trains people to become priests or to work in other church roles. Both men and women can study here for different types of ministry, through full-time or part-time courses.

History of Ripon College Cuddesdon

Ripon College Cuddesdon was created in 1975. It was formed when two older colleges, Cuddesdon College and Ripon Hall, joined together. The college is officially recognized by a special royal charter.

Cuddesdon College and its Oxford and Cambridge connections

Samuel Wilberforce, who was the Bishop of Oxford, started Cuddesdon College in April 1853. It was first known as the Oxford Diocesan Seminary at Cuddesdon. Its main goal was to train graduates from famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge for church work.

The first buildings were designed by George Edmund Street, a well-known architect. They were built across from Cuddesdon Palace. These buildings are in a style called Neo-Gothic, which means they look like old Gothic churches. The college opened in June 1854 and soon became known simply as Cuddesdon College. A larger chapel was added later, and other parts of the college were built in the early 1900s. Cuddesdon College was traditionally known for following the Anglo-Catholic or high church traditions within the Church of England.

Ripon Hall's journey

Ripon Hall started in Ripon, Yorkshire, around 1897 or 1898. It began as a place for students studying theology, called Bishop's College. It was founded by William Boyd Carpenter, who was the Bishop of Ripon. In 1902, it joined with another college and was renamed Ripon Clergy College.

In 1919, the college moved from Ripon to Oxford and became known as Ripon Hall. In Oxford, it became known for its liberal Anglican approach, which means it had more modern and open views on theology. Ripon Hall moved again in 1933 to a house called Berkeley House near Oxford. It stayed there until it merged with Cuddesdon College in 1975.

Ripon College Cuddesdon today

Ripon College Cuddesdon has grown over the years. In 2006, it welcomed the Oxford Ministry Course (OMC), and in 2011, the West of England Ministerial Training Course (WEMTC). This made it the biggest place for training Anglican priests in the UK. The college also works with the Church Missionary Society to train special "Pioneer Ministers" who start new church projects.

In 2005, the Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and Practical Theology (OxCEPT) was started. This center helps the church with research and advice.

In 2010, the college began a big project to raise money for new buildings. A new education center called Harriet Monsell House and a new chapel called the Bishop Edward King Chapel were finished in 2013. The chapel, designed by architect Niall McLaughlin, has won many awards for its amazing design. Harriet Monsell House also became home to a group of five Anglican sisters. These sisters support the college with prayer and spiritual guidance.

The college has also become more active around the world. It works with the Anglican Church in Hong Kong and has connections with Anglican colleges in many other countries. It also has programs for talking and learning between Christians and Muslims.

Harriet Monsell House at Ripon College Cuddesdon

Today, students at Cuddesdon come from all over the Church of England. They learn about Christian traditions and how to serve in modern church roles. The college has a regular schedule of daily prayer and helps students think critically about their faith.

Since 2008, the part-time Oxford Ministry Course has been part of the college. The West of England Ministerial Training Course also joined in 2011. The college also runs a part-time program called the Cuddesdon School of Theology and Ministry.

In 2014, two students, Shemil Mathew and Joseph Fernandas, helped start the Anglican Minority Ethnic Network (AMEN) with the college's support. This network helps people from minority ethnic backgrounds be more involved in the Church of England.

The current principal of the college, since 2015, is Humphrey Southern.

In 2012, the college became the new home for two groups of Sisters, the Community of St John Baptist and the Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd. This was part of the building project that created Harriet Monsell House and the Bishop Edward King Chapel.

The college also hosts a conference about Christian music every two years. It also works with the Bible Reading Fellowship for an annual Festival of Prayer.

Bishop Edward King Chapel

Inside the Bishop Edward King Chapel

The Bishop Edward King Chapel is a very special building at the college. It was funded by the Sisters who moved to the college. The chapel can seat 120 people and has a unique oval shape. Its stone walls have a distinct pattern that fits with the older buildings but also looks very modern.

The chapel has a beautiful wooden frame with curved columns and beams that support a tall roof. It also has windows high up on the walls, which fill the inside with light. This chapel has won many awards for its design and construction, including:

• BCIA Small Building Project of the Year award
• The structural award and the Gold Medal at the Wood Awards
• Oxford Preservation Trust Award
• RIBA Award for South East

On February 1, 2013, the Bishop Edward King Chapel was officially opened and dedicated by John Pritchard, who was the Bishop of Oxford at the time.

Leaders of the College

Here are some of the people who have led Ripon Hall, Cuddesdon Theological College, and Ripon College Cuddesdon over the years:

Principals of Ripon Hall

Principals of Cuddesdon Theological College

Principals of Ripon College Cuddesdon

Notable people connected to the college

Many important people have either worked or studied at Ripon College Cuddesdon or its earlier colleges.

Notable former staff

• Edward King, who later became the Bishop of Lincoln.
• Robert Runcie, who became the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior bishop in the Church of England.
• Paula Gooder, a well-known expert in Biblical Studies.

Notable alumni

• Richard Chartres, who was formerly the Bishop of London.
• Owen Chadwick, a famous historian and university leader.
• Cosmo Gordon Lang, who was both the Archbishop of York and later the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Diarmaid MacCulloch, a Professor of church history at the University of Oxford.
• Michael Ramsey, who was also formerly the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Chris Bryant, a MP (a politician in the UK).