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 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. Read more information about our preachers.
Daily prayers are also said throughout most of the year, Monday to Friday at 8.40-8.55am.
Further information is on our termly Chapel Card and details of this 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 - Trinity Term
Week 1 – Sunday, April 23 – Easter Sequence
Hymns: 117, 113, 120
Music to include:
Surrexit Christus Hodie, Scheidt
Christ rising, Byrd
Dum transisset, Taverner
A new song, MacMillan
Love is the Key, Williams
Voluntary: Fantasy: Easter Hymn, Harris
Week 2 – Sunday, 30 April – Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Hymns: 112, 282, 123
Psalm: 23
Preces and Responses: Radcliffe
Canticles: Capstick, Univ Service
Anthem: Sing Joyfully, Byrd
Voluntary: Prelude in A BWV536, Bach
Thursday, 4 May – Choir Concert, 5.45-6.30pm
Music to include:
Haec dies, Byrd
Christ rising, Byrd
Miserere, Byrd
Sing joyfully, Byrd
Hosanna, Weelkes
Alleluia, I heard a voice, Weelkes
All people, clap your hands, Weelkes
O Lord, grant the King a long life, Weelkes
Week 3 – Sunday, 7 May – Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: O Lord, grant the King a long life, Weelkes
Hymns: TBC
Psalm: 31.1-10
Preces and Responses: Gordon-Brown
Canticles: Byrd, short service
Anthem: Haec Dies, Byrd
Voluntary: Toccata from Suite Gothique, Boellman
Week 4 – Sunday, 14 May – Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Hymns: TBC
Psalm: 66.7-18
Preces and Responses: Gordon-Brown
Canticles: Stanford in G
Anthem: Vast Ocean of Light, Dove
Voluntary: Prelude in G Major, Bach
Thursday, May 18 – Ascension day, 8.10am
Music to include:
The eternal gates, Tye
Cantate Domino, Pitoni
Hymns 128i, 134
Week 5 – Sunday, 21 May – Choral Evensong / Choir reunion – 5.45pm
Introit: Hail! Gladdening Light, Wood
Hymns: TBC
Psalm: 150 (Stanford)
Preces and Responses: McDowall
Canticles: Howells, Gloucester Service
Anthem: God is gone up, Finzi
Voluntary: Imperial March Op.32, Elgar
Week 6 – Sunday, 28 May – Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: Pinselsalme, Grieg & Pingtsång, Fryklof
Hymns: 137, 342, 140
Psalm: 104.26-34
Preces and Responses: McDowall
Canticles: Gibbons, Second Service
Anthem: The spirit of the Lord, Elgar
Voluntary: Passacaglia, Mendelssohn
Week 7 – Sunday, 4 June – Choral Evensong, 5.45pm
Hymns: TBC
Psalm: 8
Preces and Responses: Briggs
Canticles: Cattley, FitzWilliam Service
Anthem: Hymn of the Cherubim, Rachmaninov
Voluntary: Prelude in G Minor, Bach
Week 8 – Sunday, 11 June – Leavers’ Evensong, 5.45pm
Introit: Ubi caritas, Gjeilo
Hymns: TBC
Psalm: 99, 100
Preces and Responses: Briggs
Canticles: Leighton, Coll Mag
Anthem: Now the son of man has been glorified, Grier
Voluntary: Nun danket alle Gott Op 65 No 59, Karg-Elert
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.