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St Andrew's Church, Oxford facts for kids

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St Andrew's Church
Parish Church of St Andrew
Oxford StAndrew west.jpg
51°46′11″N 1°15′34″W / 51.769836°N 1.259342°W / 51.769836; -1.259342
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's a place where people gather to learn about the Bible and worship.

Church History in Oxford

How St Andrew's Began

St Andrew's Church was built when the city of Oxford was growing. Many new homes were being built in areas like North Oxford. The people who started the church wanted a place where they could focus on the Bible. They wanted it to be a church for everyone in the area.

Serving the Community

The land for St Andrew's Church came from parts of other church areas. These included the parishes of Ss Philip & James and St Giles. For over 100 years, St Andrew's has been the main church for the eastern part of North Oxford. This area stretches from Banbury Road to the River Cherwell. It goes from Park Town in the south to Marston Road in the north. Many people from other parts of Oxford also come to this church.

About the Church Buildings

Design and Features

The church building was designed by A.R.G. Fenning. It looks like old Norman buildings. It has a large main area called a nave with high windows. There are also two side sections called aisles. The front part of the church, called the chancel, is round. It has beautiful stained glass windows that show stories from the Bible.

Inside the Church

Above the entrance, there is a seating area called a west gallery. This adds more space for people to sit. Above this gallery is a large round window. A simplified version of this window is used as the church's logo. The original plans for the church included a tall tower. However, there wasn't enough money to build it. There is a small bell tower on the side instead.

Expanding the Space

In the 1980s, more people started coming to the church. This meant they needed more space for all their activities. So, they built a new area at the front of the church. This new part has more offices, bathrooms, a kitchen, and meeting rooms.

Later, in the early 2000s, the church needed even more space. They thought about building a basement or buying nearby buildings. They decided to build a new extension on the south side of the main building. This new part was called "Southside." In 2013, the church decided to replace "Southside" with an even bigger extension. Building work started in 2014. Church members raised all the money for this new building.

Church Services and Activities

Sunday Services

On most Sundays, St Andrew's has four different services. Each service has its own style. Some are more traditional, and some are more modern.

  • The 8:00 AM service is quieter and more formal.
  • The 9:30 AM service is for families, with special groups for children and young people.
  • The 11:15 AM service is more formal, with robed clergy and a small choir.
  • The 6:00 PM service is lively and uses a worship band.

Helping Others

St Andrew's Church does more than just hold services. They also help people in their local community. They support charitable work in Oxford and help missionaries around the world. The church works with other churches in Oxford. They take part in events like 'Love Oxford' and 'Vertigo' for young people.

Special Services and Technology

On the first Sunday of each month, St Andrew's has a special service called JOY Place. This service is for adults with learning disabilities. The church uses modern technology in its services. They use projection screens and have worship bands. They also use their website to organize volunteers and send out prayer emails.

Care and Support

After most services, people can receive prayer support. The church also has a team that helps care for its members. They offer activities for older members, like a monthly lunch club. St Andrew's also runs courses for people who want to learn more about Christianity. They also help international students in the area. The church works with local schools, helping to start a charity called the Oxford Schools Chaplaincy.

Church Leadership

The church is led by a team of clergy and staff. This team includes the Vicar and other ministers. They work with a group of church members called the PCC. Many people who have worked at St Andrew's have gone on to lead other churches. This includes important leaders like the current Bishop of Dorchester and Bishop of Kensington.

See also

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