Campaign

The Oxford Oratory "Reaffirmation and Renewal" Campaign has been running since 2008, slightly deflected by the collapse of the world banking system, but confidently raising the funds needed to carry out the projects needed to expand the work of the Oratory. There are a number of key building plans that will bring harmony to the site, which was developed in a rather piecemeal fashion over the years. The structure of the church itself is now sound and waterproof, after recent necessary but unspectacular work. Now the need is to complete the restoration and preservation of the internal fabric. But there is a more pressing need to improve the facilities for the growing congregation and community.

So the plans are:

1. redecoration and restoration of the church, with modern lighting and sound systems
2. an endowment fund to develop the liturgical and musical tradition
3. expansion of living quarters for the Oratorian community
4. provision of a proper library to house major collections of books and papers
5. the construction of a chapel, dedicated to Blessed John Henry Newman, linked to the main body of the church through a baptistery.
6. a small, enclosed cloister which will link up all the other buildings and provide a garden.

For each of these, see the relevant page further on in this site.

“I ask you to support this Campaign generously. The Oratory in Oxford and the memory of Cardinal Newman are great riches in the life of the Church here. The aims of the Campaign are precise and worthy. Please do support it.”

Archbishop Vincent Nichols
Patron, Reaffirmation & Renewal