St Michael at the North Gate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael at the North Gate |
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| St Michael at the North Gate, Oxford | |
The Saxon tower of St Michael at the North Gate
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| Location | Cornmarket Street, Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.smng.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Saxon |
| Years built | 1000–1050 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Oxford |
St Michael at the North Gate is a historic church located on Cornmarket Street in central Oxford, England. Its name comes from its location. The church stands exactly where the north gate of Oxford's old city wall used to be.
Since 1971, this church has been the official City Church of Oxford. This means it's the special church where the Mayor and other city leaders attend important events. It has also joined with the parishes of two other former City Churches.
You can visit the church tower and climb to the top. From there, you get a great view of Oxford city. You can also see an old clockwork mechanism inside.
Contents
History of St Michael's Church
The church was first built a very long time ago, between the years 1000 and 1050. The tower, which was built around 1040, is still standing today. This makes St Michael's Church the oldest building in Oxford. It was constructed using a type of stone called Coral Rag. The tower is a great example of Anglo-Saxon architecture.
In 1833, an architect named John Plowman rebuilt parts of the church, including the north aisle and transept.
The Oxford Martyrs and Bocardo Prison
The Oxford Martyrs were famous people who were held in Bocardo Prison. This prison was located right next to the church. In 1555 and 1556, these martyrs were executed in what is now Broad Street. This area was just outside the city walls back then.
You can still see the original cell door from Bocardo Prison inside the church's tower. It's a powerful reminder of this historical event.
St Michael as Oxford's City Church
St Michael at the North Gate is currently the official City Church of Oxford. This means it's the church where the Mayor and other city officials are expected to worship.
This special title has moved between churches over time. It was first held by St Martin's Church at Carfax. When St Martin's Church was mostly taken down in 1896, the title moved to All Saints' Church on the High Street.
In 1971, All Saints' Church was no longer used as a church. It was later turned into a library for Lincoln College. That's when St Michael's Church became the new City Church. The old church areas of St Martin's and All Saints are now part of St Michael's parish.
Beating the Bounds Tradition
Every year on Ascension Day, a special ceremony called "beating the bounds" takes place. This tradition marks the old boundary of the church's parish.
The vicar leads the church members as they walk around the old boundary stones. The vicar draws a chalk cross on each stone. Then, church wardens gently hit the stones with willow sticks. As they do this, they shout "Mark, mark, mark!"
People Connected to St Michael's
Many interesting people have connections to St Michael at the North Gate.
Famous Marriages and Pulpits
William Morris, a famous artist and writer, married Jane Burden here on April 25, 1859. Jane lived nearby on Holywell Street. You can see their marriage certificate on display in the Saxon tower.
The pulpit used by John Wesley, a very important religious leader, is also on display in the church.
See also
- Anglo-Saxon architecture
- St Mary Magdalen, Oxford, another church to the north
- Bocardo Prison
Images for kids
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The Saxon tower of St Michael at the North Gate
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Interior of the church
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The original cell door from Bocardo Prison, where important people were held, is now in the church tower.
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The church and the old North Gate of Oxford, with Bocardo Prison above the gate.
