Was it faith, ambition, or a bit of both that inspired Edwin, son of Godegose, to envision St Giles’ Church? Here we stand, at the northern end of St Giles’, where it meets Woodstock and Banbury Roads.
St Giles’ Church. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to Oxford’s long and storied past. Its origins trace back to a time when Oxford was a small walled city.
Let’s step back to 1086. The Domesday Book mentions Edwin’s intention to build a Norman church north of the city. This marked the humble beginning of St Giles’ Church. Construction finished in 1120. In 1139, Edwin granted St Giles’ Church to Godstow Abbey. Back then, the church stood in open fields. No other buildings stood between it and the city wall.
Interestingly, St Giles’ Church wasn’t consecrated until 1200. Saint Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, officiated the ceremony. To commemorate this event, they established St Giles’ Fair. The fair continues to this day. It occurs on the Monday and Tuesday after the first Sunday of September. This date follows St Giles’ Day.
Look closely at the bell tower’s western column. See those interlaced circles? That is a 13th- or 14th-century consecration cross. It is there to commemorate the consecration.
The architecture tells its own story. Two 12th-century windows survive on the north side of the nave’s clerestory. Also the lower parts of the bell tower remain. The tower was completed in the early 13th century. The aisle arcades and Early English Gothic windows also date from this time. The chancel was built in the late 13th century.
During the Reformation, Godstow Abbey surrendered St Giles’ Church to the Crown in 1539. In 1542, the Crown granted St Giles’ to Dr George Owen. He was King Henry VIII’s physician. Later, his son Richard Owen sold St Giles’ to Sir Thomas White in 1573. Sir Thomas had refounded St John’s College. He then granted St Giles’ to St John’s. Since then, the college has held the advowson of the parish.
Two notable Laudians served as incumbents. William Juxon from 1610 to 1615 and Thomas Turner from 1624 to 1629.
Inside St Giles’ Church, discover the figurines of Henry Bosworth. They depict his wife Alice and their three children. These figurines were likely created for a tomb. Sadly, the tomb did not survive.
St Giles’ Church suffered damage during the English Civil War. Parliamentary forces besieged Royalist troops. John Goad, vicar from 1644 to 1646, held services during bombardments. The Bosworth tomb may have been destroyed during the war.
Minor repairs took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. Parts of the building were repaired in the 19th century. The chapel on the south side of the chancel was partly rebuilt.
As Oxford expanded, St Giles’ Church became more central. New parishes were created from parts of St Giles’. These include St Philip and St James’ and St Margaret’s. St Giles’ remains a separate parish. It is reunited with the parish of St Philip and St James with St Margaret.
Listen to the bells of St Giles’ Church. The bell tower houses eight bells. Ellis Knight I of Reading cast the oldest bell in 1632. William Taylor cast five more bells in 1850. Mears and Stainbank cast the youngest bells in 1927.
Take a moment to appreciate the enduring legacy of St Giles’ Church. It has witnessed centuries of Oxford’s history. From its humble beginnings to its present-day presence. It remains a place of worship. It is a landmark in this vibrant city.