About us

We are at the heart of Oxford, and have served our city and nation for a thousand years. We love to be a place of prayer, resting, conversation, welcome, and learning. Our services are “unfussy traditional”. Our doors are open every day, and lots of visits and conversations happen then. As a Christian community, we want to express the welcome of Christ. We believe that his love can transform us, and bring hope, courage and purpose to all that we do.

We conduct regular services, both in the building and online, as well as Bible studies and fellowship meetings. There is quite a lot of gentle socialising if one wishes, but also very much space to be oneself. We are an intergenerational small-medium sized church.

St Michael at the North Gate became the City Church of Oxford in 1971. It is the official place of worship for the Mayor and Corporation of Oxford. There is a stand at the front of the church to hold the mace during civic services. Until 1896, St Martin’s Church at the junction of Cornmarket and the High Street was the City Church. It was demolished for road widening but the tower, and church bells, remain as Carfax Tower.

All Saints’ church on the High Street was the City Church until in 1971, when it was converted into a library for Lincoln College. The parishes of St Martin and All Saints were then united with St Michael at the North Gate. As well as becoming the City Church, St Michael’s has also inherited church plate from these parishes as well as the medieval font and parish chest from St Martin’s.