St Thomas More

The Chapel of St Thomas More is located in Foxcombe Road on Boars Hill and is part of the main Parish of North Hinksey, Oxford. Led by Parish Priest Father Daniel Lloyd, this little Chapel makes up in history what it lacks in size, and prides itself on being the starting point of the Parish.

THE PRAYER LIFE OF THE PARISH

“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I.” (Matt 18:20)

Christ is the inspiration and the motivation of all that we do and are in the parish. We are called to build a personal relationship with Christ through our prayer life.

As a parish, we try to provide opportunities for prayer – the celebration of the Eucharist being the parish’s central prayer. In order to prepare for the Eucharist, we need to provide other opportunities for prayer. Throughout the year we gather to prepare for the major feasts of Advent and Lent, the rosary is prayed regularly, and various prayer groups meet. Prayer brings us together so that we are more than just a mere collection of isolated individuals.

The Newdigate family, living at Foxcombe Heath, found it difficult to attend Mass during the Second World War, as did all the Catholics living on the Hill and in Sunningwell and Bayworth, owing to lack of public transport and petrol rationing. Accordingly they organised priests to say Mass in their home, for their benefit and that of local Catholics.

A family legacy was used to purchase Grace Dieu and convert the garage to a chapel, dedicated to St Thomas More. A strong sense of community developed among those who worshipped there; this feeling of community is still very evident today.

Sir Thomas More also known as Saint Thomas More (in Latin, Sanctus Thomas Morus; 7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535) was an English lawyer, author, and statesman who in his lifetime gained a reputation as a leading Renaissance humanist scholar, and occupied many public offices, including Lord Chancellor (1529–1532).

More coined the word “utopia”, a name he gave to an ideal, imaginary island nation whose political system he described in the eponymous book published in 1516. He was beheaded in 1535 when he refused to sign the Act of Supremacy that declared King Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church of England.

In 1935, four hundred years after his death, Pope Pius XI canonized More in the Roman Catholic Church; More was declared Patron Saint of politicians and statesmen by Pope John Paul II in 1980. In 1969, More’s name was included in the General Roman Calendar, with a Memorial in which he is venerated with Saint John Fisher on 22 June, the day of the latter’s death. In 1980,

More was added to the Church of England’s calendar of saints, again jointly with John Fisher, but on July 6, the day of More’s death.

According to and thanks to Wikipedia click here for more

Please find a useful map below which highlights the exact location of the Church of St Thomas More.

Address

The Chapel of St Thomas More
Grace Dieu, Foxcombe Road,
Boars Hill,
Oxford

Mass Times

Fridays 8.30am