St Giles' Church, Oxford

St Giles' Church is a church building constructed in Norman architectural style located at the intersection of Woodstock Road and Banbury Road in Oxford. Its distinctive bell tower rises from the early 13th century and holds eight bells, with the oldest one dating to 1632.

The church first appeared in written records in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was constructed starting in 1080 under Edwin, son of Godegose, completing around 1120. Saint Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, performed a consecration ceremony in 1200 that left a cross carved into the western column of the bell tower.

The church serves as a meeting point for the local community and hosts religious services, weddings, and neighborhood gatherings throughout the year. People from Oxford's streets walk past this building daily, and many mark important life events within its walls.

The building sits at a busy intersection in central Oxford and is easily reached on foot from the town center. It is a Grade I listed building that offers guided tours where visitors can explore its architectural details and interior spaces.

The consecration cross carved into the western column of the bell tower is one of the few visible marks left by an actual bishop from the 12th century. Visitors often walk past this carved detail without noticing it, yet it connects directly to the hands of a saint who lived nearly 900 years ago.

Location: Oxford

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Norman architecture

Website: http://st-giles-church.org

GPS coordinates: 51.75920,-1.26056

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:56