Choirs Join Forces for Historic Evensong

Earlier this month the Cathedral Choir and the choir of the Chapel Royal Hampton Court joined forces for an historic evensong, celebrating their shared history. 

Choristers of the choir of the Chapel RoyalThe service marks the first time the Cathedral Choir and the Choir of the Chapel Royal have sung together in their near 500 year shared history.

The two choirs sung a joint evensong at the Cathedral at 6pm on 3 May, opening with music by John Taverner who was hand-picked by Cardinal Wolsey in 1526 to be Christ Church’s first Organist and Master of the Choristers of the college. The choirs also sang the Bernard Rose setting of the Preces and Responses. The canticles were Stanford in C, and the anthem was his Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem.

Both the Cathedral Choir and the Chapel Royal are Royal foundations that owe much of their history to Henry VIII and Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Between them Henry and Wolsey would found and re-found Christ Church, creating the unique dual foundation that exists to this day. They were also responsible for giving the Chapel Royal its permanent home at Hampton Court.

Choristers looking at a book in the upper libraryChoristers from both choirs were also treated to a display of rare books and artefacts in the Upper Library including Elizabeth I's personal Bible and Psalter, Cardinal Wolsey's Epistle Lectionary, a pair of 15th-century cornetts and Cardinal Wolsey's galero.

It is hoped that this evensong marks the first of many more collaborations between the two choirs, as they celebrate their shared history and mission.

Watch the recording

The full recording of the joint evensong can be found on the Cathedral YouTube channel. There is also a planned return event at Hampton Court on 22 November.

Other Christ Church news

A large group of women ordained in 1994 are gathered wearing albs and stoles, and joined by Bishops Olivia Graham, Steven Croft and Gavin Collins. The first female Dean of Christ Church, Sarah Foot, is also present. They are waving and looking thrilled that women triumphed over discrimination to flourish in spirit and ministry.
COLLEGE |

Celebrating Thirty Years of Women's Ordination to Priesthood

A special service of celebration took place in the Cathedral last Sunday to mark thirty years since women were first ordained as Church of England Priests in the Diocese of Oxford. While women could be ordained as Deacons from 1987, it was not until later that they were able to become Priests permitted to celebrate sacraments such as Holy Communion. The first ordinations of women in the Diocese of Oxford took place on April 16th and 17th 1994 in Abingdon, High Wycombe, Reading, Banbury, Buckingham and Oxford. The service was led by the Diocese’s first female Bishop, The Rt Revd Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading; while the first female Dean of Christ Church, The Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot, served as liturgical Deacon. 

A large group of women ordained in 1994 are gathered wearing albs and stoles, and joined by Bishops Olivia Graham, Steven Croft and Gavin Collins. The first female Dean of Christ Church, Sarah Foot, is also present. They are waving and looking thrilled that women triumphed over discrimination to flourish in spirit and ministry.
A view of the Chancel, with the former chancel organ visible under the arches
COLLEGE |

New East End Organ Project Begins With Ground Surveys

We are excited to take the first steps of a long-term project to commission a new organ for the Cathedral's East end. The new instrument will be designed to accompany the choir during worship and concerts as a complement to the Rieger organ at the west end, which will continue to be used for congregational singing and solo pieces. The commissioning process will begin next week with floor surveys of the proposed location for the new instrument. Our current chancel organ, rented from charity Pipe Up For Pipe Organs, will be removed to allow this critical work to take place. We are excited to work with our new organist to take the project to its next stages, following their appointment later this year.

A view of the Chancel, with the former chancel organ visible under the arches

Other Christ Church news

A large group of women ordained in 1994 are gathered wearing albs and stoles, and joined by Bishops Olivia Graham, Steven Croft and Gavin Collins. The first female Dean of Christ Church, Sarah Foot, is also present. They are waving and looking thrilled that women triumphed over discrimination to flourish in spirit and ministry.
COLLEGE |

Celebrating Thirty Years of Women's Ordination to Priesthood

A special service of celebration took place in the Cathedral last Sunday to mark thirty years since women were first ordained as Church of England Priests in the Diocese of Oxford. While women could be ordained as Deacons from 1987, it was not until later that they were able to become Priests permitted to celebrate sacraments such as Holy Communion. The first ordinations of women in the Diocese of Oxford took place on April 16th and 17th 1994 in Abingdon, High Wycombe, Reading, Banbury, Buckingham and Oxford. The service was led by the Diocese’s first female Bishop, The Rt Revd Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading; while the first female Dean of Christ Church, The Very Revd Professor Sarah Foot, served as liturgical Deacon. 

A large group of women ordained in 1994 are gathered wearing albs and stoles, and joined by Bishops Olivia Graham, Steven Croft and Gavin Collins. The first female Dean of Christ Church, Sarah Foot, is also present. They are waving and looking thrilled that women triumphed over discrimination to flourish in spirit and ministry.
A view of the Chancel, with the former chancel organ visible under the arches
COLLEGE |

New East End Organ Project Begins With Ground Surveys

We are excited to take the first steps of a long-term project to commission a new organ for the Cathedral's East end. The new instrument will be designed to accompany the choir during worship and concerts as a complement to the Rieger organ at the west end, which will continue to be used for congregational singing and solo pieces. The commissioning process will begin next week with floor surveys of the proposed location for the new instrument. Our current chancel organ, rented from charity Pipe Up For Pipe Organs, will be removed to allow this critical work to take place. We are excited to work with our new organist to take the project to its next stages, following their appointment later this year.

A view of the Chancel, with the former chancel organ visible under the arches