Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford
About the Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford
The College was founded by Robert de Eglesfield in 1341 to be ‘a place of education and religion’ and the Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford remains a place set apart for stillness and wonder in the heart of today’s busy College. The current Chapel was consecrated by the Archbishop of York on All Saints’ Day 01 November 1719 and it remains a space at the heart of the College.
The Chapel is there for the whole College, and it is open throughout the day for any member of the College to spend time. It is often in use as a rehearsal and performance space for musicians, and there are also times set apart each day for quietness and prayer.
Regular services run throughout term-time. These are open to the public, and the beautiful choral music and traditional worship attract many visitors, especially during the summer. Regular services are conducted according to the practice of the Church of England, but they are open to all regardless of belief or affiliation.
The main services are sung by the College Choir, an adult choir of both men and women, which is among the finest and most active university choirs in the UK. Its repertoire ranges from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary pieces, including some commissioned and premiered by the Choir.
Outside term, the Chapel hosts many Old Members who return to College to celebrate their weddings.
Services
During Full Term, the Chapel of The Queen’s College, Oxford generally follows this pattern of services.
Public services
All choral services are open to the public free of charge, with a collection for charity. Choral Evensong takes place on Wednesdays & Fridays from 6:30 pm, and Sundays from 6.15 pm with a sermon from the Chaplain or a visiting preacher.
On occasion, Evensong is replaced by a Choral Eucharist starting at an earlier time, and there may be other variations through the term. Please check the Termcard or Music and Services list.
College services
In addition to the choral services, all members of the College community are invited to take part Morning Prayer on Mondays to Fridays from 8:45 am, Holy Communion on Sundays from 9:30 am, and occasional Compline and midweek eucharists, as advertised.
The Chaplain
The current Chaplain is The Reverend Katherine Price who joined the College at Easter 2017. The Chaplain is supported in organising Chapel services by the Chapel Clerks and the Chapel Team.
Other faiths, denominations, and belief groups
The Chapel is consecrated as an Anglican place of worship, but many of those who attend regularly and those who assist at services belong to different churches or would not consider themselves religious at all. Preachers are invited from various Christian traditions, and once a term, a mass is celebrated by a priest from the Catholic Chaplaincy.
