Binsey, St Margaret of Antioch

Getting here

Our tiny church stands at the centre of the history of the development of Oxford as a city and diocese. It was here that St Frideswide built a small community of nuns and cured the sick at her 'treacle' well.

The Norman church is both beautiful and simple, and is open every day for pilgrims and visitors. It is an oasis of peace inside the Oxford ringroad, and many of our visitors come regularly to find a space for prayer and reflection.

We very much encourage you to spend an afternoon on a St Frideswide pilgrimage to Binsey by walking from Christ Church cathedral, where St Frideswide had her biggest community. Starting at St Frideswide's shrine in the cathedral, walk out of Tom Quad, up St Aldates to Queen's Street, and along Queen's Street and Park End Street. Go past the station and down Botley Road until you come to Binsey Lane on the right. Then go down Binsey Lane and continue past the village until you come to the church. (Those who are interested in the history of Oxford might also like to visit the site of Osney Abbey, which can be found in the cemetery on Mill Street.)

Binsey church is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch, who, according to legend, escaped from a dragon by making the Sign of the Cross. She has been a particular object of the devotion of women preparing for childbirth.

The churchyard still contains St Frideswide's 'treacle well' famously referred to in Alice in Wonderland, and we encourage our visitors to say a prayer at the well.

Our regular worship is in traditional language, and evensong is taken from the Book of Common Prayer. Everyone is most welcome to join our worhsip.

There is a 9am Eucharist on the fourth Sunday of every month and a 9am Eucharist on Christmas Day and
Easter Day. There is Evensong at 4.30 pm on Sundays in British Summer Time (from when the clocks go forward to when they go back.)

Please go to our new website for up to date information on Service and Events

Binsey Lane
Binsey
Oxford
OX2 0NG

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