University College is an ancient Christian foundation; but as a modern and inclusive community we welcome students and staff of all faiths and of none.
The Chapel is in the Front Quad, next to the Hall, and at the heart of the College’s main site. It offers a beautiful and tranquil space in which all members of the College and their guests are welcome.
The Chapel may be used for a variety of purposes: for the rehearsing and performing of concerts and plays, as a space for lectures and meetings, or as a quiet place to take time out in a busy day. However it was built as a place of Christian worship, and that remains its purpose today.
Chapel Services
Our services are those of the Church of England, and open to the public, and our ethos is welcoming and inclusive. Anyone who wishes to attend or to participate is welcome to do so to the extent that they feel comfortable. Some who attend services here are committed Christians, and glad to make connections between their faith and their studies. Many others would say that they are not religious, are agnostic or enquiring, or identify with another faith. Some people come simply because they wish to sing, or listen to the choir. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome, for whatever reason they choose to come.
Our main act of worship is usually Choral Evensong on Sunday evenings at 5.45-6.45pm in term time. Our excellent choir leads much of our worship, and there is a short sermon, often by a visiting preacher. During term we also have a Thursday evening communion service with a short address (5.30-6.00pm), sung Compline, and discussion groups as advertised. Daily prayers are also said throughout most of the year.
Further information is on our termly Chapel Card and details of each term’s music in Chapel can be found below.
The Chaplain
The College Chaplain is the Revd Dr Andrew Gregory, who is also a member of the Welfare Team, and is always glad to see members of the College and its staff. He operates an open-door policy and any student or member of staff who wishes to do so is welcome to call in socially, or to talk to him in confidence about any matter of concern. The College is a very diverse community, and most of his work takes place in a context of pastoral support in which no assumptions are made as to whether individuals hold to any religious beliefs or to none.
Andrew can be contacted on +44 (0)1865 276 663 or via email Andrew.Gregory@univ.ox.ac.uk
Find out more about Andrew on his Profile page.
Find out more about provision for student welfare on our Welfare Support page and, for current students, on the Univ Intranet.
Chapel Music
Univ takes great pride in its organ scholars and choir, and offers them its full and enthusiastic support. Our Director of Music, Giles Underwood, is always pleased to hear from prospective applicants for organ and choral scholarships or from anyone who might like to join the choir or to get involved in music in College. Find out more on our Music page.
Details of the Chapel Organs can be found on our College Buildings Chapel page.
Chapel Music - Hilary Term
Sunday 19 January, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: Amy Beach, With Prayer and Supplication
Psalm: 29
Preces and Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Canticles: George Dyson in F
Anthem: Oliver Tarney, The Wise Men and the Star
Preacher: The Chaplain
Voluntary: Dieterich Buxtehude, Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Sunday 26 January, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 27, 1-11
Preces and Responses: Richard Ayleward
Canticles: T Tertius Noble in b minor
Anthem: Judith Weir, Illuminare Jerusalem
Preacher: The Chaplain
Voluntary: Théodore Dubois, Fiat Lux
Friday 31 January, Choral Evensong, 5.15pm (with the choir of Stockport Grammar School)
Introit: Pitoni, Cantate Domino
Psalm: 150 (C V Stanford)
Preces and Responses: Richard Ayleward
Canticles: Herbert Brewer in D
Anthem: Sasha Johnson Manning, Jesu, the very thought of thee
Voluntary: Léon Boëllmann, Menuet Gothique
Sunday 2 February, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 24
Canticles: Brewer in D
Preces and Responses: Richard Ayleward
Anthem: Cecilia McDowall, Candlemas
Preacher: The Revd Professor Teresa Morgan
Voluntary: J S Bach, Mit Fried und Freud
Sunday 9 February, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm (with the choristers from Warwick School)
Psalm: 112
Preces and Responses: Kerensa Briggs
Canticles: Sarah MacDonald, Selwyn Service
Anthem: C V Stanford, O, for a closer walk with God
Preacher: The Revd Dr Anne Noble
Voluntary: C V Stanford, Postlude No 5
Sunday 16 February, Choral Evansong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 136, 1-9, 23-26
Preces and Responses: Kerensa Briggs
Canticles: Herbert Merrill in E
Anthem: William Byrd, Teach me, O Lord
Preacher: Revd Dr Susannah Snyder
Voluntary: J S Bach, Piece d’orgue
Sunday 23 February, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 2
Preces and Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Canticles: George Dyson in F
Anthem: Roxanna Panufnik, O Hearken
Preacher: The Revd Georgina Watmore
Voluntary: Felix Mendelssohn, Sonata IV in B flat, 1st mvt
Wednesday 26 February, Sung Eucharist, University Church, 8pm
Introit: Amy Beach, Peace I leave with you
Mass setting: Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina, Massa Brevis
Communion motet: Gregorio Allegri, Miserere
Voluntary: J S Bach, O Mensch bewein
Sunday 1 March, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 32
Preces and Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Canticles: Sydney Watson in E
Anthem: Maurice Greene, Lord, let me know mine end
Preacher: The Revd Professor Jane Shaw
Voluntary: Maurice Greene, Voluntary V in G
Sunday 8 March, Lenten Sequence, 5.45pm
Music to be confirmed
The Chapel Building
The Chapel contains some of our most important material treasures, including our Van Linge windows and our Flaxman monument to Sir William Jones. You can find out more about the Chapel building and many of its features on our College Buildings Chapel page.