Oxford’s ‘undiscovered jewel’ hosts international concert stars
7 November 2012
A former monastery church is fast becoming established as one of Oxford’s leading performance venues. Classical artists such as Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, Trevor Pinnock and pianist Jenny Lin, as well as jazz legend Fred Hirsch are among those performing at the Church of St John the Evangelist in Cowley this autumn.
The Church of St John the Evangelist was built in 1894 for the Cowley Fathers, the very first Anglican monks, who worked amongst the poor of east Oxford. The Grade One listed building, designed by architect GF Bodley contains fine painted ceilings and beautiful stained glass.
The Church and Monastic Buildings are now part of St Stephen’s House, a Permanent Private Hall of the University involved in training ministers for the Church of England. But the building needs urgent work to repair its leaking roofs and to conserve its glass and decoration.
Canon Robin Ward, Principal of St Stephen’s House, explained: “The Church of St John the Evangelist is one of the great undiscovered jewels of Oxford. Although thousands of people travel past on their way to work or to the University Sports Ground across Iffley Road, few have ever visited. We are now faced with a challenge of finding two million pounds to conserve the building – one of three chapels we own. We receive no money from The Church of England or the University towards the conservation of the building.
“It seemed to us we could meet an important need in Oxford for a mid-sized concert venue that would in turn help us raise the money we require. The profits from our events are being ploughed back into conserving the building – which will of course continue to be a place of worship”£350,000 has been raised so far, and St Stephen’s has in addition invested £500,000 of its own money in a range of projects including new heating, lighting and seating in the Church, which can hold up to 500 people.
Canon Ward added: “We have received some very generous donations. The Garfield Weston Foundation has enabled us to build much needed cloakroom facilities; The Pilgrim Trust funded the conservation of the painted ceiling under the tower; and the Wolfson Foundation have supported the greater part of the cost of buying a Steinway D Grand Piano – one of only two at concert halls in Oxford. But we still have much further to go”
Full details of the forthcoming programme of events at the Church of St John the Evangelist – SJE – and how to purchase tickets can be found on the website www.sje-oxford.org where there is also information about how to donate towards the conservation work.
To enquire about booking SJE for an event, please call the Assistant Bursar at St Stephen’s House, Lottie Allpress, on 01865 613504.
For further information please contact Matthew Butler at St Stephen’s House - matthew.butler8@btinternet.com or 07771 833188.