Friday, June 16, 2006

THE COWLEY FATHERS’ CHURCH, IFFLEY ROAD

On the opposite side of Iffley Road, between James Street and Mar­ston Street, are the headquarters of the Anglican community known as the Cowley Fathers, founded by Richard Meux Benson.[1] The hand­some church was designed by Bodley.[2] The members of the community occupy themselves with retreat and mission work. (From Goulder, Pilgrimage Pamphlets: Oxford & Cambridge, 1963)

The buildings belonging to the Cowley Fathers now house St Stephen’s House, an Anglican theological college in the ‘high church’ tradition, which is now (2004) a Permanent Private Hall of the University. For more history, see their site.

[1] Lived 1824-1915.
[2] Lived 1827-1907. Pupil of Sir George Gilbert Scott (lived 1811-1878), the Gothic revival architect.

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