Daily Info - Your Guide to Oxford, UK

If you've no idea which religion you might wish to join, but feel the need for some spirituality in your life, why not start at www.sacred-texts.com, which contains, as the name suggests, almost all of humanity's sacred writings, presented in files which are both usefully cross-referenced and easily downloaded. Make sure you've got a month or two to spare before you start, as this site is extraordinarily comprehensive. On a more Christian note, if you're that way inclined, try the Bible Gateway, where you can access 13 versions of the bible in English and 18 in other languages, and use a search facility to track down that elusive fire-and-brimstone quote for your Sunday sermon. Another very useful resource can be found at www.sivasakti.com, a huge index for those investigating self-development through the hindu or tantric paths.

On a more local level, you might wish to consult the Oxford Churches Information Service. Their site lists upcoming events and has links to local churches, Christian organisations, and pages addressing local (and national) issues of importance.

Another local organisation is Churches Together in Central Oxford. Contact Jenny Gerrard: 01865 864805.

Promoting harmony between all religions, the International Interfaith Centre (2 Market Street) was set up in 1993 with the aim of 'building inter-faith co-operation in the world' which it does through conferences, lectures and other events and projects which you can find out about via their website. The website also features short introductions to most, if not all and more, of the religions covered below.

Orthodox Christian

Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and the Annunciation
(Ecumenical Patriarchate with two parishes: Russian tradition and Greek tradition)
1 Canterbury Road, Oxford OX2 6LU

Enquiries to Bede Gerrard: 01865 864805 (Greek Orthodox Community)
Joanna Haynes: 01865 552282 (Orthodox Parish of the Annunciation)
Services: Saturday 17.30, Sunday 10:30 and Feast Days.
www.annunciation-oxford.org/

The principal language used varies according to the following pattern:
First Sunday of each month: services mainly in Greek
Second and fourth Sundays: services in English and Slavonic
Third Sunday: services mainly in English (Greek chant)
Fifth Sunday: alternates between English/Slavonic and Greek.
The regular Sunday services are the Divine Liturgy at 10.30 and the Vigil service on the preceding Saturday evening at 17.30.

Website of the Episcopal Vicariate of Great Britain and Ireland (Exarchate of Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe) www.exarchate-uk.org

Russian Orthodox Parish of St Nicholas the Wonderworker
(Moscow Patriarchate)
St Giles' Church Hall, 10 Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HT
Enquiries to Mrs Anastasia Heath, 01865 511823
Services: Sunday 11:00, Saturday 18.00.
www.stnicholas-oxford.org

The principal language used varies according to the following pattern:
First Sunday of each month: English with some Slavonic
Second Sunday: English
Third Sunday: predominantly Slavonic
Fourth Sunday: English
Fifth Sunday: English with some Slavonic
The regular Sunday services are the Divine Liturgy at 11.00 and the Vigil service on the preceding Saturday evening at 18.00.

Roman Catholic

Vatican Official Site - www.vatican.va.

An enjoyably complete list of Patron Saints can be found here.

St Aloysius Gonzaga, The Catholic Parish Church of Oxford, Woodstock Road
01865 315800
Daily: Mass 07:30, 10:00 (followed by Rosary), 18:00
Saturday: 18:30 Vigil for Sunday
Sunday: 09:30 (family Mass), 11:00 Solemn Latin Mass (sung), 18:30 (Mass)
Vespers is sung at 17:30. Confessions are heard before each Mass and on request.
This parish is run by the Oratorians who follow a pattern of life established by St Philip Neri.

Blessed Dominic Barberi, Cowley Road, Littlemore
01865 778454
Saturday: 18.00 Vigil for Sunday
Sunday: 11.00
Holydays: 09.00, 19.30
This church is next door to the famous college (once the home of John Henry Newman) but now the home of the Sisters of the Work who keep Newman's memory alive.

Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy, Rose Place, St Aldates
01865 276993
During full term:
Sunday: 09.00, 11.00 (sung), 17.45 (sung)
Monday-Friday: 07.45, 13.15
Saturday: 12.00
Outside term, Mass times can be found via the website.
The Chaplaincy is also host to the Oxford University Newman Society, the Catholic student speaker group. Meets 8.30pm on Tuesdays during term time. www.newmansociety.org.uk

Dominicans (Order of Preachers) Blackfriars, 64 St Giles
01865 278400
Sunday: 08:00 Mass, 09.30 family Mass, 11.15 (first Sunday of every month) Mass in Spanish, 18.15 Community Mass
Weekdays: 18.15 Mass

Our Lady of the Rosary, Botley
01865 247986
Saturday: 18:30 vigil
Sunday: 09:15 Mass (with children's Liturgy)
Tuesday & Thusday: 09.30 Mass

Our Lady Help of Christians, 59 Hollow Way, Cowley, OX4 2ND
01865 770910
Saturday (for Sunday): 5:30pm Mass, Confession 4.30 - 5pm
Sunday: 10am Mass
Monday - Thusday: 9am Mass
Friday: 7pm Mass, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6pm
Rosary after each Mass. Parish Priest is Fr K Anderson, S.D.B.
Stations of the Cross in Church. Related primary school is Our Lady's Primary School, Oxford Rd, OX4 2LF. The Church is also linked with the Oxford Salesians of Don Bosco: Salesian Sisters, Elmthorpe, Oxford Rd, OX4 2LF. Tel 01865 775349.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys
01865 779658
Sunday: Masses 09.30, 18.00
Contact Fr. David Hartley: dm.hartley@tesco.net 07765931126

Sisters of Notre Dame, 145/7 Woodstock Road
01865 557987
Associated with St Aloysius (see above)

St Anthony of Padua, 115 Headley Way, Headington
01865 762964
Saturday: 18:30 Vigil
Sunday: 10:00 Mass
Daily: 09:15 Mass

St Edmund and St Frideswide, Iffley Road
01865 246455

St Gregory and St Augustine, 322 Woodstock Road
01865 515138
Saturday: 18:30
Sunday: 08.00, 10.30
A little more info can be found on the website.

Church of England

General information: www.cofe.anglican.org.
For service times at a church near you nationwide, visit www.achurchnearyou.com.

General Information about the Church in Oxford, Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties can be obtained from the Diocesan Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Pearce, at the Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, OX2 0NB (tel. 208200, fax. 790470). E-mail diosec@oxford.anglican.org, or visit www.oxford.anglican.org.

CHORAL EVENSONG can be found daily during term time at Oxford's three choral foundations: Christ Church (18:05), New College (18:15) and Magdalen College (18:00). Early arrival is recommended as space does tend to be limited, especially if you want to sit in choir.

Christ Church Cathedral, St. Aldates
01865 276154
England's smallest cathedral, serving the largest diocese. Also the college chapel.
Sunday: 08:00 Holy Communion (1662), 10:00 Sung Matins (said during the Summer vacation), 11:15 Sung Eucharist, 18:00 Evensong. Choral Evensong is sung every day during term time.
Weekdays: 07.15 Matins, 07.35 Holy Communion, 13.05 Holy Communion (Wednesdays only), 18.00 Choral Evensong (Sung Eucharist on Thursdays or Saint' Days).

Church of the Holy Family, Blackbird Leys
01865 778728

Magdalen College Chapel, Magdalen College, High Street
...has a choral foundation, and services bear the imprint of the Oxford Movement or Catholic Revival of the 19th century.
Sunday: 11:00 Sung Eucharist, 18:00 Choral Evensong, 22:00 Compline and Benediction.
Weekdays: 08.00 Eucharist, 18.00 Choral Evensong (Said Evening Prayer on Tues; Sung Eucharist on Festivals/Saints Days).

Pusey House, St. Giles
01865 278415
Chaplaincy primarily for Church of England members of the University, with a high tradition.
Term time only.
Sunday: 11:00 Sung Mass.
During the week: 07:40 Matins, 08:00 Eucharist, 17:00 Evensong.

St. Aldates Church , St Aldates
01865 254 800
Evangelical.
Sunday: 10:30, 18:00 and 20:15

St. Andrew’s Church, Linton Road
Evangelical
01865 311212
Sunday: 8:00, 9.30 Family Service, 11:15 and 18:00

Ss. Barnabas & Paul, Cardigan Street, Jericho
01865 557530

St. Clements, Marston Road
01865 246674

St. Cross, Manor Road
Linked to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Sunday: Holy Communion, 10.00

St. Ebbes, Pennyfarthing Place (behind the Westgate Centre)
01865 240438
Evangelical.
Service times change more or less in line with University terms.
Sunday: 10:00, 11:30 (followed by student lunch), 18:30 (followed by hot-dogs) term time; Out of term: 10:00, 18:30.

St. Frideswide, Botley Road
01865 242680
Parish church for West Oxford
Sundays: 10.30am Parish Mass
Weekday masses: 7pm Tuesdays, 12.30pm Thursdays

St. Giles, Woodstock Road
01865 311198

St. John the Evangelist, New Hinksey (off Abingdon Rd)
01865 245879
Sunday: 10:30 Parish Mass

St. Laurence, South Hinksey (Parker Road/St Laurence Road)
01865 245879
Associated with St. John, above.
Service details: http://www.acny.org.uk/venue.php?V=468

St. Margaret's, Binsey village
Phone 01865 242680
First Sunday in the month (not January): 9am mass
Every Sunday during British Summer Time: 3.30pm Evensong

St. Mary Magdalen, Magdalen Street
01865 247836
Anglo-Catholic.
Sunday: Eucharist at 08:00 and 17:30, High Mass at 10:30, Matins (said) at 10:00
Weekdays: Mass at 11:15 and 18:00, Evensong at 17.40

St. Mary's, Iffley village
01865 773516
Sunday: 08.00 Holy Communion, 10.00 Parish Communion, 18.30 Evening Prayer
Wednesday: 09.30 Holy Communion. Saturday: 08.00 Morning Prayer and Intercessions in the Church Hall.

St. Michael & All Angels, Lonsdale Road, Summertown
01865 556079
Anglican Parish Church.
Sunday: 08.00 Said Eucharist, 09:30 Children's Service - except 1st Sunday of month, 10.00 Parish Eucharist.
Tuesday: 12:15 Holy Communion (Contemporary Language)
Thursday: 10:30 Holy Communion (Traditional Language)

St. Michael at the Northgate, Cornmarket Street
01865 240940
The City Church of Oxford.
Sunday: 08.00 Holy Communion, 10.30 Holy Communion or Mattins (both sung), 18.30 Evensong (sung).
Weekdays: Weds: 12.30 Prayers, followed by (13.15) Holy Communion. Fri: 12.15 Communion.
The church is always open during the day for a quiet sit down and private prayer.

University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, High Street
01865 279111
Sunday: 09:30 Family Service (1st Sunday of the month), 10:30 Sung Eucharist, 18:00 Evensong or Taizé as announced.
Weekdays: 12:15 Holy Communion (Monday-Thursday).

Other Christian Denominations

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), CLA, Oxford
Meeting at: Barton Neighbourhood Centre, Underhill Circus, Barton, Oxford.
07813 709676
Sunday: 10am; Thursday: 7.30pm

Emmanuel Church (Affiliated to New Frontiers)
Meeting at: Year 12 & 13 Study Area Room D1, Cheney School, Cheney Lane (entrance via Gipsy Lane), Headington.
Sunday: 10:30

Headington Baptist Church
Meeting at: 78 Old High Street, Headington, OX3 9HW
01865 432436
Sunday: 10:30, 18:30

Oxford Community Church
The King’s Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES
01865 297420
Sunday: 10:30

Oxford Vineyard Church
01865 358040
Correspondence address: Oxford Vineyard, PO Box 453, OX3 0ZL
Sunday: 16:00 at St Andrews Primary School, London Road, Headington

Temple Cowley United Reformed Church, corner Oxford/Temple Road (opposite police station)
01865 779664
Sunday: 10.30, 18.30

Unitarian Congregation, Harris Manchester College Chapel, Mansfield Road, Oxford: celebration and reflection in the liberal Christian tradition.
Sunday: 11.00

Woodstock Road Baptist Church (Evangelical), corner of Woodstock and Beechcroft Roads, Summertown
01865 515569
Sunday: 10:30, 18:30

First Church of Christ, Scientist, 36A St Giles
01865 557605
Sunday: 10.30 service, 10.30 Sunday School
Wednesday: 07.30 Meeting
Reading Room open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12.00-15.00,Wednesdays 17.00-19.15.

Magdalen Road Church, 41a Magdalen Road (off Iffley Road)
01865 245887
Sunday: 10.30am Morning Service and Junior Church at SS Mary & John School, Meadow Lane. 6.30pm Gatherings at the Church building.

Friends Meeting House, 43 St Giles
01865 557373
Sunday: 09:30 and 11:00
Tuesday and Thursday: 07.30-08.00, followed by breakfast. Wednesday: 12:15-12:45

Collinwood Road United Reformed Church, Collinwood Road, Risinghurst
Sunday: 09.30

Marston United Reformed Church, Marston Road
Sunday: 11.00am

New Road Baptist Church, Bonn Square
01865 247583
Sunday: 10:30

The Salvation Army, South Oxford Christian Centre, Wytham Street
01865 246278
Excellent Marching Band. (National Family Tracing Headquarters: 020 7383 2772)
Sunday: 10.30am

Seventh Day Adventists, 2 Chester Street (off Iffley Road)
01865 792022
Saturday: 09:45 (school), 11.15 (service)
Wednesday: 07.30 (phone to confirm)

St. Columba's United Reformed Church, Alfred Street (off High Street)
01865 558763
The Presbyterian and United Reformed Church Chaplaincy.
Sunday: 10.45
Thursday: 12.30 (short service)

Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street
01865 243216
Sunday: 10:30, 18:30

Albert Street Chapel (Reformed Baptist), Albert St., Jericho (between Great Clarendon and Cardigan Streets)
01865 245939
Sunday: 10.45, 15.00 School, 18.15

Islam

Mosques are as follows:

Bengali Masjid Oxford, 57 Cowley Road, OX4 1HR. Tel. 01865 793118
Bath Street Mosque, 10-11 Bath Street, OX4 1AY. Tel. 01865 245547
Madina Masjid, 2 Stanley Road (off Iffley Road), OX4 1GZ. Tel. 01865 243142
Central Oxford Mosque, Manzil Way (off Cowley Road), OX4 1DJ. 01865 245547

The Marston Road Mosque (under construction) will be opening sometime in 2007. (Thanks to headington.org.uk for this info).

MECO (Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford) holds regular weekly Friday (Jumu'ah) congregational prayers for men and women at 1pm at Summertown Hall, corner Banbury & Portland Roads, North Oxford. English sermon. All faiths welcome. MECO is a progressive and pluralistic local organisation which
promotes interfaith dialogue and also sponsors a range of intellectual. cultural and educational programmes. Details: www.meco.org.uk. Email: info@meco.org.uk

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is in George Street, OX1 2AR, tel: 01865 278730, fax: 01865 248942.

For online introductions to Islam, visit: www.islam-info.co.uk or Oxford Islam.

For online prayer times (wherever you are in the world), and much, much more: Islam Finder

For a specifically UK-based version of the same, with news, politics and even jobs: Salaam

Others

For Humanist Funeral Services in Oxford and surrounding areas see www.fionasloman.co.uk.

www.paganfed.org is the national website for paganism in the UK. www.childrenofartemis.co.uk is a good source of information about Wicca. Local pagan meetings can sometimes be spotted in the Daily Info listings, so keep an eye there too.

Interested in Tarot? www.thinkforyourselftarot.com is a good online info resource.

Relaxation isn't a religion, but it should be. Click here to see the book "How to Relax".

www.deism.com is aimed at those with a sense of faith but no time for received religions, or anything superstitious.

Or try www.ulc.org, the website of the Universal Life Church, which holds that everyone has the right to religious authority and will ordain you on the spot, on-line, free of charge. Nor is this merely for satirical purposes. The ULC has defended its charitable status successfully in the U.S. courts, and its ministers perform legal marriages.

www.infidels.org/news/atheism is an online resource, not just for atheists, but also for agnostics and freethinkers of all kinds.