Greyfriars, Oxford

From the earliest days of the Order the sons of St Francis have played a large part in the life of Oxford, except for the interruption caused by the Reformation. In the twentieth century they have returned and are now firmly established in the beautiful friary, which is also a University Hall, on the Iffley Road, after a series of migrations.

It was in 1906 that the Capuchins came to Cowley, which was then outside the city boundary. In 1910 they also settled at 21 St John's Street, calling their residence St Anselm's House. Fr Alphonsus of Maidstone was superior there for the first year; he was then succeeded by Fr Cuthhert of Brighton, who ruled until 1919, and continued as superior of the new foundation when in that year the friars went to live in a more suitable property consisting of two large houses on the Iffley Road, opposite the present Greyfriars; the number of this dwelling is given as 177 Iffley Road. The two houses were made into one and called Grosseteste House. There the brethren lived for nearly twelve years. Fr Cuthbert continued as superior until 1930.

The present Greyfriars opened on 16th July 1911, as a chapel of ease, and was passed into the care of the Capuchins in December 1928. The Jesuit Fathers handed over the church and all its furnishings as a free gift, refusing to accept anything but a mere one thousand pounds for the valuable land on which the church stood, land which was sufficient to allow of the building of the present friary ncxt to the church. Then the building of the friary began. The first part of the proposed friary, the present Greyfriars, was ready for occupation in October 1931. Greyfriars is now a University Hall, serving students of many nationalities. Besides being a study-house, Greyfriars serves a busy parish. Brother John, the Parish Priest, has his own website.

Vist the Greyfrairs Website

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