Facilities and features
Accessibility
The entrance via Ship Street is accessible.
We do not use screens, large print available on request.
We are close to bus stops and a short walk from Oxford Railway Station.
We offer a quiet space from the busy city during the week.
We offer gluten-free wafers on request.
We allow guide dogs.
Our toilet, which though not available to the public, is there for the use of congregants and user groups, is disabled.
The Church has a loop system for the benefit of those who use a hearing-aid. Microphones are used during the 10.30am Sunday service, and at some other services. Please use position T on the hearing aid.
We have a tiny car park available for use by the congregation and user groups by prior arrangement with the church office. There are charges attached to entering the Zero Emission Zone Pilot (which we are in) with a poluting vehicles. To avoid paying the Oxford Congestion Charge, approach from the North of the city.
Large print literature and hymn books are usually available from sidesmen on Sunday mornings.
In our toilet, which though not available to the public is there for the use of congregants and user groups.
Our Building
Different parts of our building date from different periods, but the oldest parts are from as early as 1040.
We try to ensure a warm space during our opening hours, generally between 9am and 5pm.
We have a small library where you can borrow or keep the books.
We have a range of stained glass, the oldest of which is Medieval.
We have one disabled toilet, for the use of congregants and user groups.
We have a gift shop next to our Saxon Tower, which allows us to keep the church open daily and to welcome visitors up the tower.
Music and Worship
Our bells are rung seldom, via a carillion, as we have an Ellacombe chime. Our sanctus bell is rung before some services.
St Michael's has a strong commitment to music making. Our professional City Church Choir sing for many services. When they are not in attendance, our voluntary choir, The North Gate Voices, sing for us. In addition, we run Music on Mondays, a series of free concerts (instrumental and voice) which raise funds for charity via the collections. We also have a number of artists who perform in the church throughout the year.
The current organ dates from 1954 when Henry Willis III installed a two-manual instrument in the north transept. This forms the basis of the present organ. The original console stood in front of the case and faced south. In 1989-90, Henry Willis IV overhauled and enlarged the instrument. A new Positif division was added, which is flanked by horizontal pipes of the Trompette. The new three-manual console faces north.
Most of our services are BCP. We have two weekly BCP Holy Communion services, one at 8am on a Sunday and one at 1pm on a Friday. Our 10.30am Sunday morning service alternates between Communion and Matins. We also have a service of Evening Prayer on Sundays at 3pm.
We have a professional City Church Choir which sings for our 10.30am Sunday morning service, except the first Sunday of the month and for a month during the summer. When they are not singing, our voluntary choir, The North Gate Voices, sing.
Groups, Courses and Activities
Although not run by the church, a number of Alcoholics Anonymous groups meet in St Michael's every week. Adult Children of Alcoholics also meet weekly. Enquiries about either of these groups can be directed to the church office, for details of times.
Join us on Tuesday lunchtime for our Bible Study at 1pm.
St Michael's has a long and close relationship with both the Oxford Night Shelter and the Gatehouse.
We support Oxford Winter Nights Shelter, and are one of the venues they use. OWNS runs opperates from 1st January, and accomodates 20 people each night accross churches and other venues throughout Oxford.
We run a joint children's church on Sunday mornings with St Mary Magdalene church.
We work with the Oxford Street Pastors, and they occasionally use our church for meetings.
Help for Visitors
We have free Wifi, on the SMNG Visitor network, available to user groups, hirers and members of the congregation.
There are a number of guidebooks available for sale in our shop, and information available for free about our church and Saxon tower.
St Michael's is open for prayer and reflection daily.
We are open daily, generally from 9am to 5pm, for individual prayer.
There are racks available for general use in Ship Street.
Other Features
We are in the heart of historic Oxford.
We have a number of rooms available for hire. Contact our church office for details.