Cathedral News Archive

'More Divine than Human - Music from the Eton Choirbook' is the latest CD release from the Christ Church Cathedral Choir, conducted by Dr Stephen Darlington. Containing outstanding performances of music by John Browne, William Cornysh, Richard Davy, John Fawkyner and Walter Lambe, it is available as Avie AV2167.

Christ Church Cathedral is delighted to welcome six young men and women this week as part of the ARC (Accueil, Rencontre, Communauté) programme. ARC is an ecumenical organisation which provides free guided tours to visitors in European churches and cathedrals during the summer months. Our six guests will be offering tours of the cathedral in English, German, Italian, French,
 Spanish and Dutch in the coming weeks.

The Cathedral's Summer Lectures are to take place on Wednesdays at 4.30pm in the Priory Room. Time is allowed for discussion before Evensong in the Cathedral at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

The first lecture, on Wednesday 15 July, will be given by the Dr Allan Chapman, with the title, 'Darwin Mania - Is science a challenge to religion?'. More Information

At Evensong on Sunday June the 7th, Matthew Power, the new Dean's Verger, was formally installed in his new role. Matthew is a graduate in Fine Art and has been a Verger at Christ Church Cathedral since 1995, most recently in the role of Sacaristan. He has taken over as Dean's Verger (what might elsewhere be called 'Head Verger') from Edward Evans, on his retirement. Click here to see photographs taken after the sevice which show Matthew with his parents and with the Precentor.

The Dean’s verger, Edward Evans, retired this month after just over a third of a century as the pivotal member of the Cathedral’s staff.  Apart from overseeing the day to day detail of liturgy and ceremony, keeping the clergy on course, and providing a welcome to hundreds of visitors each day, Edward placed a wide range of skills and interests at the Cathedral’s disposal. In particular, he was responsible for the move of the Cathedral shop into the Chapter House, transforming it into a successful and profitable business.  Edward will not be moving far away, and we hope that he will continue to be a familiar figure in the Cathedral.

A large congregation gathered in the Cathedral at Evensong on Saturday January 28th, as eight men and women were honoured for years of distinguished service to the Diocese of Oxford. Four new Honorary Canons and four new members of the Order of St Frideswide were congratulated by the Bishop of Oxford, the Right Reverend John Pritchard, and praised for the richness and diversity of their ministries.

Children from the Nursery at Christ Church cathedral School were preparing for Christmas this week with their traditional nativity play. Dressed as animals from the stable where Jesus was born they gave their own witness to the Christmas message on Tom Quad and St Aldates.

The Christ Church Cathedral Choir were singing at Sadler's Wells Theatre on 11th November, the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War for the première of 'Eternal Light: A Requiem' by Howard Goodall, which was commissioned for performance with the Rambert Dance Company. Reviews of the music and performance have been good, especially commending the singing of the Choir. To read the Evening Standard review, click here . To go to the Times Online  review, click here

A Memorial Service was held for The Very Reverend Professor Henry Chadwick KBE (1920-2008), former Dean of Christ Church, in the Cathedral on Saturday September the 27th. The Dean of Christ Church welcomed the very large congregation and addresses were given by Professor Henry Matyr-Harting and  Dr Stephen Darlington. Prayers were led by the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and the final belssing was given by Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

Members of the Cathedral congregation gathered after Evensong on Sunday the 28th of September to say goodbye to Nicholas and Edith Coulton, on Nicholas' retirement from the position of Sub-Dean. The Dean, the Very Revd Christopher Lewis, thanked Canon Coulton for his contributions to the life and ministry of the Cathedral and presented gifts on behalf of the congregation and Cathedral Friends. We wish them well in the next period of their lives.