St Mary Magdalen

Hidden in plain sight, St Mary Magdalen in Oxford has borne witness to centuries of history. The church stands on a traffic island, a testament to its enduring presence amidst the changing tides of time. St Mary Magdalen’s story begins in the Saxon era, with a wooden church just outside the city walls. This early structure fell victim to Viking attacks in the early 11th century. The Normans, under Robert D’Oyly, constructed a stone chapel in 1074. This new chapel became a point of contention with St Frideswide’s Abbey, which claimed patronage rights. The dispute eventually settled with Oseney Abbey taking control in 1129. St Mary Magdalen was rebuilt in 1194 by St Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. The church enjoyed royal favor, linked to both King John and Richard I, who granted the parish a unique seal. Remnants of this 12th-century structure can still be seen within the church’s south aisle and chancel wall. The Lady Chapel, founded by the Carmelites in 1320, houses Elizabethan stained glass. A curious piece of history lies within St Mary Magdalen: a 14th-century wooden chest. This “Jewel Chest” suffered damage during the Civil War when Parliamentarian soldiers were imprisoned within the church. King Charles I himself, having based his headquarters in Oxford, ordered its repair. The church’s tower, constructed with stones from Rewley Abbey, also dates to this period. St Mary Magdalen remained staunchly Royalist throughout the Commonwealth. Notably, it was the first to reinstate the Book of Common Prayer, even before the monarchy’s restoration. A portrait of Charles I above St Thomas’ altar commemorates this loyalty. Sir George Gilbert Scott, in one of his early commissions, redesigned St Mary Magdalen in 1841. His work on the north aisle, now known as the Martyr’s Aisle, aimed to complement the nearby Martyr’s Memorial. St Mary Magdalen’s connection to Oxford’s history continued into the late 19th century. An ornate reredos was added in 1894. Elizabeth Wigram designed the striking west window in 1898, depicting the city’s medieval past. The church’s churchyard holds the remains of notable figures, including antiquary John Aubrey. St Mary Magdalen’s story is a tapestry woven with threads of faith, royalty, and resilience. Its survival, from Saxon beginnings to the present day, showcases its enduring importance to Oxford’s history.