St Andrew's Church, Oxford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's Church |
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| Parish Church of St Andrew | |
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| 51°46′11″N 1°15′34″W / 51.769836°N 1.259342°W | |
| Location | Linton Road, Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Low church |
| Website | St Andrew's Church North Oxford |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Andrew |
| Consecrated | 1907 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | A.R.G. Fenning |
| Style | Norman revival |
| Years built | 1907 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Oxford |
| Archdeaconry | Oxford |
| Diocese | Oxford |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Andrew's Church in Oxford is a Church of England church. It was officially opened in 1907. You can find it in North Oxford, at the corner of Linton Road and Northmoor Road. It serves as a local parish church for the community.
Contents
History of St Andrew's Church
This church was built when Oxford was growing. Many new homes were being constructed in areas like North Oxford. The people who started the church wanted to create a place of worship. They aimed for a church that focused on the Bible.
The land for St Andrew's Church came from two other church areas. These were Ss Philip & James and St Giles. For over a hundred years, St Andrew's has been the main church for the eastern part of this area. This area stretches from Banbury Road to the River Cherwell. It goes from Park Town to Marston Road. Many people who attend the church also come from other parts of Oxford. Some even travel from nearby villages.
The Church Buildings
The church building was designed by A.R.G. Fenning. He was an architect who lived from 1855 to 1937. The style of the building looks like old Norman buildings. It has a large main area called a nave. This nave has tall windows high up, known as a clerestory. There are also two side sections called aisles.
The front part of the church, called the chancel, is shaped like a half-circle. It has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows show stories from the Bible. Above the seating area at the back, there is a large round window. This is called the west rose window. A simpler version of this window is used as the church's logo.
Original plans for the church included a tall bell tower. However, there wasn't enough money to build it. Instead, there is a small bell holder on the side.
New Additions to the Church
In the 1980s, more and more people started coming to the church. This meant they needed a bigger building. They wanted space for all the new activities. So, they added a new area around the west end of the church. This new part was designed by Robert Magure & Keith Murray Architects. It added more office space, extra toilets, and better kitchen and meeting rooms.
By the early 2000s, the church needed even more space. They thought about different ideas. These included building a basement under the main church. They also considered buying nearby properties. Finally, they decided to build on land south of the main building. These new temporary rooms were called "Southside."
In 2013, the church leaders decided to replace "Southside." They approved a new, larger extension. Building work began in 2014. The money for this project was raised by church members. The new extension was designed by MEB architects. It was built by a company called Beards.
Church Services and Activities
Most Sundays, St Andrew's Church holds four services. Each service has a different style. Some are more traditional, while others are more modern.
- The 8:00 am service uses older prayer books.
- The 9:30 am service is for families. It includes special groups for children and young people.
- The 11:15 am service is more formal. The clergy wear special robes, and there is a small choir.
- The 6:00 pm service is lively and contemporary. It features a worship band.
Besides teaching and fellowship, St Andrew's helps people outside its walls. They do outreach and charity work in Oxford. They also support missionaries around the world. The church works with other churches in Oxford. They join in events like 'Love Oxford' and 'Vertigo' for young people.
On the first Sunday of each month, St Andrew's has a special service. It is called the JOY Place. This service is for adults with learning disabilities. It is run with a charity called Causeway Prospects.
Modern Technology and Support
St Andrew's uses modern technology a lot. The 9:30 am and 6:00 pm services use projection software. They also have a worship band. The church website is very important. It helps schedule volunteers and sends out prayer emails.
After most services, people can receive prayer support. The church also has a team that cares for its members. They offer activities for older members, like a monthly lunch club.
St Andrew's also runs regular Alpha courses. These courses help people learn about Christianity. They also have groups for international students. The church helps with school work in Oxford. People from the church helped start a charity called the Oxford Schools Chaplaincy. This charity continues the work in schools.
The church usually has several leaders. These include the Vicar and other clergy. They work with a large team of staff and church council members. Many past leaders from St Andrew's have gone on to important roles. Some have become bishops in the Church of England.
See also
