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.
Termly Chapel Music
Michaelmas Term 2019, University College Chapel
Sunday 13 October, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: Amy Beach, Peace I leave with you
Psalm: 111 (chant – C V Stanford)
Canticles: T Tertius Noble in b minor
Preces and Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Anthem: C H H Parry, My soul, there is a country
Preacher: The Chaplain
Voluntary:
Sunday 20 October, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 121 (chant – H Walford Davies)
Canticles: Herbert Murrill in E
Preces and Responses: Cecilia McDowall
Anthem: Herbert Howells, Like as the hart
Preacher: The Chaplain
Voluntary:
Sunday 27 October, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 119. 89-96 (chant – P C Buck)
Canticles: Walmisley in d minor
Preces and Responses: Philip Radcliffe
Anthem: Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Heyr thu oss himnum á
Preacher: The Revd Dr Janet WIlliams
Voluntary:
Sunday 3 November , Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 149 (chant – G M Garrett)
Canticles: Sarah Cattley, Fitzwilliam Service
Preces and Responses: Philip Radcliffe
Anthem: Tomás Luis de Victoria, O quam gloriosum
Preacher: Dr Megan Warner
Voluntary:
Sunday 10 November, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: George Guest, For the fallen
Psalm: 17. 1-8 (chant – J Turle)
Canticles: Sarah MacDonald, Selwyn Service
Preces and Responses: Philip Radcliffe
Anthem: Gabriel Fauré, Introit-Kyrie from Requiem
Preacher:
Voluntary:
Monday 11 November, Act of Remembrance, 10.45am
Anthem: George Guest, For the fallen
Monday 11 November, Remembrance Day Concert, 8pm
Joint concert with St Edmund Hall Chapel Choir
The Martlet Ensemble
Christopher Bucknall and Giles Underwood, conductors
Music: C H H Parry, My soul, there is a country
Sasha Johnson Manning, Jesus the very thought of thee
Ed Rex, Do not stand at my grave and weep
Kerensa Briggs, Media Vita
Edward Elgar, They are at rest
Gabriel Fauré, Requiem
Sunday 17 November, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 98 (chant – J Turle)
Canticles: Charles Wood in E flat, number 2
Preces and Responses: Kerensa Briggs
Anthem: William Walton, O Lord my God, from The Twelve
Preacher: Dr Bethany Sollereder
Voluntary:
Sunday 24 November, Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Psalm: 46 (chant – Luther (adapt))
Canticles: Orlando Gibbons, Short Service
Preces and Responses: Kerensa Briggs
Anthem: Roxanna Panufnik, O Hearken
Preacher: The Revd Skye Denno
Voluntary:
Sunday 1 December, Advent Carols, 5.45pm
Music TBC
Friday 6 December, Christmas Carols, 5.45pm
Music TBC
Saturday 7 December, Advent Carols, 2.30pm and 4.30pm
Music TBC
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.