St Mary the Virgin

Christ Church College in Oxford is unique in having the only college chapel that is also a cathedral. It is said to have been founded as a convent by St Frideswide in the 8th century, but the oldest parts of the church date from the 12th century, when it was an Augustinian priory and place of pilgrimage. In 1525 Thomas Wolsey suppressed the priory and began work creating a college.

The church of the Holy Family began its life with the estate of Blackbird Leys. The church, designed by Colin Shewring, was built and dedicated in 1965. It is one of the most distinctive buildings on the estate and in Oxford, with its curved walls and roof.

Merton College Chapel, dedicated to St Mary and St John the Baptist, was completed in the late 13th century. The present choir, with its huge east window, was completed in 1294. Under Elizabeth I, Protestantism was imposed and Merton College found itself under siege for three weeks by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker, in defence of the old religion. The chapel replaced St. John's Parish Church and continued to serve as a parish church as well as a chapel until 1891.