University Church of St Mary the Virgin
The Old Library of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin was built in 1320 and is the first university (as opposed to college) building in Oxford. It is where the nascent university began. By the early 13th century, Oxford was firmly established as an academic centre, drawing students from across Europe, undergraduates and masters, such as the Clerk of Oxenford in the Canterbury Tales, living in houses and halls. The growing university had no buildings of its own, so it adopted St Mary’s as its administrative centre and built a two-storey building, east of the tower, facing onto what is now Radcliffe Square.
The upper room became the first university library and contained a small number of books chained to desks. The books were moved to the Duke Humfrey’s Library in the Bodleian in 1450 as part of its founding collection. The roof and floors of the library are now its oldest parts: both date from 1509.
Today the room can accommodate up to 50 people for meetings, conferences, dinners and receptions. Catering is available from the immensely popular Vaults and Garden Coffee Shop.
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
High Street, Oxford OX1 4BJ
Venue Contact
Sarah Ockwell
01865 279110
admin@universitychurch.ox.ac.uk
www.university-church.ox.ac.uk
1 meeting spaces with capacity for up to
50 guests for
- dining
- buffet
- theatre
- classroom
- boardroom
functions.
Summary
Dining | Buffet | Theatre | Classroom | Boardroom | Cabaret | Other |
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The Clore Old Library | ||||||
50
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50
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50
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20
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24
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Room by room
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Clore Old Library, University Church of St Mary the Virgin Clore Old Library, University Church of St Mary the Virgin Clore Old Library, University Church of St Mary the Virgin The Clore Old Library
Available during Term-time & vacation
Description: Overlooking Radcliffe Square, the Old Library is on the top floor of the Old Convocation House next to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Facilities: Data projector and screen, wifi, lectern, av facilities, refreshments provided by the Vaults and Garden Cafe.
Accessibility: First floor, disabled access lift available, accessible toilet on the same floor as the Old Library.
Dining Buffet Theatre Classroom Boardroom Cabaret Other 50 See imageDining for up to 50 guests 50 See imageBuffet for up to 50 guests 50 See imageTheatre space for up to 50 guests 2024- -