Services & worship

Choral Evensong (or ‘College Evensong’ on Sundays) is traditionally a place where all might take a moment to sit with eternity. It does not require much of the worshipper except their presence. It offers calm in the midst of life’s storms, allowing each person to enter as much or as little into its conversation of worship as they might, today, manage. Led by Choir and minister, with readings from the Old and New Testaments, it is a prayerful dialogue of hope and fulfilment into which we place our own daily reality. On Sundays there is a sermon, often from a visiting preacher. There is an opportunity to meet the preacher and enjoy a drink after the service. Choral Reflection is a more informal form of Evensong, taking one idea or Scripture each term and shaping a series of responses around it.

The Eucharist (also known as the Mass, or Holy Communion), seeks more participation from the worshipper. At its heart it always tells the same story, the story of God’s love in Jesus, dying on a cross, rising from a tomb. A body broken. Blood poured out. But also we are invited to find in each and every Communion not merely the story of long ago and far away: through timeless music and the prayers of the ages we discover the story of God’s love in Jesus touching the thousand deaths we die each day, and raising us up. People broken, lives poured out, and bread and wine taken so that we too might receive hope and life and forgiveness. And perhaps, as we walk away afterwards, our individual and common worlds may gently be re-tuned to a key of thankfulness. In Worcester Chapel, Christians of all denominations are invited to receive Holy Communion, and a prayer of blessing is always offered for any preferring not to receive the bread and wine.

At Worcester, Compline (or Night Prayer) is our one midweek evening service entirely sung by the gathered congregation, not led by the choir. It guides us by candlelight through a collection of chanted psalms, readings, and prayers that date back to the time of St Benedict (author of the monastic Rule on which the life of our predecessor, Gloucester College, was based) to find stillness and rest at the end of the day.

Worcester College, with its beautiful gardens and lake, eighteenth-century Hall and William Burges Chapel, make it one of the most attractive and memorable locations in Oxford in which to get married.

The College warmly welcomes former and current members to create their perfect wedding day in this magical place, and we look forward to helping you make your marriage service in the Chapel an intimate and joyous occasion. However, places are limited each year, and available only to current members, alumni, and staff of the College. Under special circumstances children and grandchildren of former members may seek authorisation from the College authorities to have their wedding at Worcester College but permission is not normally given. Wedding services usually take place on Saturdays during University vacations.

In order to be married in the Chapel, the couple require a Special Licence from the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, which will be applied for as part of the process in consultation with the Chaplain. Couples who have been married in a civil ceremony may have a service of blessing in the Chapel according to the rites of the Church of England. Permission to have a service or minister of other Christian denominations must be sought from the Chaplain and College authorities.

There will be charges, including a minimum donation to the Chapel. Musical arrangements can be made with the Director of College Music. Arrangements for flowers, decorations, and photography must be made in conjunction with the Chaplain.

Contact the Chaplain Contact the Director of College Music

The Chapel is only available for Baptism to current members of the College and its staff. Central to the baptism service is that a child or adult is baptised into their Christian community. For former members of the College this will be their local parish church or worshipping community whilst for current members and staff the Chapel is the focus of that community within the College. Although it is recognised that the services available in the Chapel may not be felt to be suitable for babies and very small children, those seeking baptism in the Chapel will be encouraged to fulfil their baptismal obligations to their child in a more suitable context.

Baptism services usually take place on a Sunday either during the vacation or in term time. Individuals of other Christian denominations may use the Chapel for a service of baptism but the permission of the Chaplain and College authorities must be sought first.

The sacrament of Confirmation is also available to current members and staff of the College who are part of the regular worshipping community.

Contact the Chaplain

Permission to use the Chapel is considered on a case-by-case basis; however, it is usually only given for funerals of current members and staff of the College, and memorial services for former or current Fellows. In any request, consideration must be given to the size of the Chapel: with a capacity of only 100, funerals and memorial services for the College, by necessity, usually take place in the local parish church of St Barnabas or the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

The Chapel is available for a funeral or memorial service to individuals of other Christian denominations, other faiths and none within the criteria above, following permission from the Chaplain and the College authorities.

Contact the Chaplain