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 our accredited caterers, Wilding Wine or Oxford Fine Dining.

University Church of St Mary the Virgin
High Street, Oxford OX1 4BJ