OXFORD, ENGLANDOxford University is the oldest English-speaking university in the world with 9 centuries of continuous existence to add to its prestige. Kings, Prime Ministers, U.S. Presidents, Actors, Nobel Prize Winners, Saints, Archbishops & Cardinals have all studied or taught at Oxford.
Although it is one of 39 colleges that make up the University, Christ Church is never referred to as "Christ Church College", as in "Trinity College". It is simply Christ Church, the home of the smallest of England's ancient cathedrals as well as the largest and most architecturally impressive college in Oxford.
Wolsey & Henry VIII founded college
Founded in 1525 by Cardinal Wolsey, as Cardinal College, it was refounded by Henry VIII in 1532 after Wolsey fell out of favor. It was never finished according to Wolsey's plan, so only the Hall, the unfinished quadrangle, the lower part of the gatehouse & the old Priory were allowed to survive. The old priory church became the cathedral of the new diocese of Oxford as well as the college chapel; the Dean appointed by the Crown.
Spartan quarters for students
As participants in a conference on the Middle East we were residents of the college for one week. Housed in student housing in the ponderous, Victorian Gothic Meadow building, we lived in spartan quarters in a room with 2 cots, a simple lounge chair, a night stand and large desk. It was 3 floors up and no lift, but we requested and were given (after a sizable upgrade charge) an ensuite room. Some participants had to make do with a community bathroom. It was easy to imagine myself sequestered as safely as a nun at Christ Church (except for the presence of my husband), for once outside Tom Gate, the main entry point of the college, the cacophony & activity on the streets of Oxford seemed almost frenzied after the peace & solitude of the college inside the quadrangle.
The Hall recreated for Harry Potter movie
Meals were served in The Hall, easily recognized from the Harry Potter movie. As we learned, however, the room was recreated for the movie when college officials refused to take down the official portraits lining the walls. We were impressed with the quality of food, as well as the service. Each dinner was a gourmet treat; breakfast a full English breakfast. Adhering to the Christ Church custom we stood behind our chairs each evening until grace was read in Latin by the Dean.
Colleges open to visitors
We encountered many visitors led by guides, others individually consulting guidebooks & taking photos. All the colleges are open to visitors at their regular hours. Christ Church is open Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sun. 12 noon to 5:30 (4:30 in winter). There is an admission charge. Consult their website http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/
Photos top to bottom:
The Hall, Christ Church, recreated for the Harry Potter film
Christ Church quadrangle & Tom Gate Tower
Meadow, the Victorian Gothic dormitory where we lived
Hall outside Cathedral
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