Restoration of University Church will restore Oxford’s tallest spire – but leave Cromwell’s bullet holes untouched
26 January 2011
Oxford University’s historic University Church of St Mary the Virgin is to undergo its biggest restoration since the late 19th century.
£3.4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the chancel to be restored to how it was on the eve of the Civil War – though renovations will stop short of filling in the holes left by Cromwell’s army’s bullets in the Virgin Mary statue.
The HLF grant for a full scale conservation and education project will also install a hologram exhibition about the history of the University, the Church and its rich history; and a sound cone will be put in place so that no matter how busy the Church is, the chancel will be a place of silence for reflection and silent prayer.
‘We decided not to repair the bullet holes left by Cromwell’s troops on the façade of the University Church – they are too much a part of Oxford’s history!’, said The Revd Dr William Beaver, Associate Priest at St Mary’s.
‘The restoration will be a landmark in the history of this Church and Oxford University. The adjoined Old Congregation House with the Old Library on the first floor is the first building in Oxford University’s history, and our restoration aims to emulate this by making St Mary’s the first stop on the tourist trial with a hologram exhibition about the history of the University, the town and the Church.
‘We will improve access to the Old Congregation House with our immensely popular Vaults and Garden Cafe as well as to the Church tower, which gives visitors stunning panoramic views from Oxford’s tallest dreaming spire.’
‘Last year 300,000 people visited the Church, and we hope to drastically improve their experience by installing interactive visitor sites and restoring the Church to its former glory.’
As the University Church, St Mary’s is the centre from which the University of Oxford grew – it was used for meetings of the University ruling body during the 13th century and housed its first ever library. St Mary's was also the site of the trial of the Oxford Martyrs in 1555, when the bishops Latimer and Ridgley and Archbishop Cranmer were tried for heresy. Cardinal Newman was Vicar of St Mary’s during the Oxford Movement, and OXFAM was founded in the Church in 1942 under Canon Milford.
Stuart McLeod, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: ‘This inspirational and important project showcases our heritage at its very best, by providing the local community and visitors with a special look into the past. Heritage Lottery Fund money continues to revitalise and transform historic sites like The University Church of St Mary the Virgin into sustainable places for the future, offering a wide range of training and volunteering opportunities and reinstating them as appealing tourist attractions.’
The Vicar of St Mary’s, the Revd Canon Brian Mountford, explained further the importance of this lottery money to the church: ‘I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has decided to make this significant award to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. It comes after long and careful consultation with local people, national bodies, and professional advisers as to what is best for this iconic Oxford building. In the process we have been helped to think about widening our educational outreach as well as the conservation of the fabric.’
The HLF’s confirmed investment will see a five-year project help repair the church’s façade, including the stonework, spire and tower, as well as vital repairs to the interior. The history of the church will be displayed and learning and volunteering programmes will be created with up to 200 local people being offered the chance to train as guides. The Old Library will also be restored, enhancing its facilities as a space for educational activities, and access greatly improved around this fascinating 1320 building.
The Revd Dr William Beaver is available for interview on 07917 183926. For more information and images, contact Katharina at the University Church on 01865 279111 or university.church@ox.ac.uk