St Barnabas Church, Oxford

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St Barnabas Church.

View of the campanile from the Oxford Canal.

St Barnabas Church is a church in Jericho, central Oxford, England, located close to Oxford Canal.

The church was founded by Thomas Combe, Superintendent of the Oxford University Press close to the church, and his wife Martha. They were followers of the Oxford Movement (or Tractarian movement). The architect was Sir Arthur Blomfield, a son of the Bishop of London, who had previously designed the chapel for the Radcliffe Infirmary. The style is that of a Romanesque basilica. St Barnabas has a distinctive square tower, in the form of an Italianate campanile, that is visible from the surrounding area. The church was consecrated in 1869 by Bishop Wilberforce of Oxford and the campanile was completed in 1872. The church is still famous today for its Anglo-Catholic ceremonial which draws people from far and wide. The service is led by a very good choir, who have published two CD recordings. The History of the Church was written by Mr Roger Nicholas Dixey, who attended the church for many years. it was completed by Miss Anne Abbley, another loyal attender.