Chapter 5: Christ Church Cathedral Part II

Excerpts From the Cathedral Brochure:

"This twelfth century church is amongst the oldest buildings in Oxford, and one of the smallest Anglican cathedrals in England. It is also the only church in the world to be both a cathedral and a college chapel."

" A Place of Worship: The Cathedral is the mother church of the Dioces of Oxford, and many special services take place attended by the Bishop of Oxford. It is here that the Bishop has his throne or 'cathedra', from which a cathedral takes its name."

"A Place of Music: The Cathedral Choir was founded in 1525, and comprises 16 boys and 12 men. "

"A Brief History
c. 680-727 The life of St. Frideswide, patron saint of Oxford and founder of the first church on this site
c. 1150-1210 The present building is constructed as a monastery church
1524 The monastary is forced to close
1525 Cardinal's College is founded by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey on this site, and the church becomces a college chapel
1546 This church becomes the cathedral, and the college and cathedral are refounded by King Henry VIII as "Christ Church"
1642-1646 The English Civil War, during which King Carles I lives and worships at Christ Church
1720's John and Charles Wesley study at Christ Chruch and are both ordained in the cathedral
1870-1876 Much of the interior of the cathedral is redesigned by Sir George Gilbert Scott"