St Michael at the North Gate

The city church of Oxford

From the Vicar

You are very welcome at our beautiful Church and thank you for visiting our website.

The Church is open every day, as is the Tower and the Visitor Centre; generally, this would be 9am – 5pm. Please feel welcome to come for a service, or for quiet and prayer,  or just to appreciate the history and artistry inherent in the building.

We are an Anglican Church and conduct regular services, both in the building and online. Our wonderful Choir sings at Matins or Holy Communion on Sundays at 10.30 am, and we enjoy a range of said services, beautiful in their own way, on Sundays and throughout the week.

Anthony Buckley
Vicar

History

If you approached Oxford from the north almost 1000 years ago, coming down St Giles, the most conspicuous building in your line of sight would have been the present church tower, dating from about 1040. It is the oldest surviving building in Oxford, the next being the Castle tower, and originally situated just within the North Gate, of the city, protected to the north by the city wall.

Read more about us >

Our historic Church is open every day for quiet and prayer, or for cultural interest, all interspersed with our regular services. You can attend our services in Church and online.

NEWS

Safeguarding – Any issues, please contact Penelope Warner on safeguarding@smng.org.uk
Newsletter 27th April 2025News, quotes & thoughts
The Saxon TowerRefurbishment ProjectAppeal
Study GroupsMonday Evening Study Group Catechism (university term time only)
Church Event William Golding and the Problem of GoodnessOxford Centre for Spiritual Growth
Music CalendarForthcoming Concerts


Opening hours

VISIT US

Mon: Sat: 9am–3:45pm (later on Service days & Summer months)
Sun: 7:30am–5pm
The Church of St Michael at the North Gate
Cornmarket Street
Oxford
OX1 3EY

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We are very grateful to Dr Cosima Gillhammer (Iridescent Photography) and Matt Badenoch (Matt Badenoch Photography) for many beautiful photographs used on this site.