St Bede's Hall, Oxford Moves to 42, St. Giles Oxford

The Board of Management of St. Bede’s Hall Oxford announced today, 8th December 2009, that the offices for St. Bede’s Hall had been relocated to a permanent site at 42 St. Giles in the centre of the City of Oxford. The new Catholic college had been actively looking for a new permanent property and is grateful to the Society of Friends [Quakers] who owns the property for enabling St. Bede’s Hall to make this important step in its development. The Chairman of St. Bede’s Hall, Fr. Sebastian Jones, said “Ideas are not enough. They must become realised in our response to the Truth. This new property at 42 St. Giles will enable St. Bede’s Hall to take another step in its commitment to Cardinal Newman’s idea of what Catholic Higher Education can be. The work of St. Bede’s Hall is an act of faith in Christ who alone is the Truth.”

The building dates from the nineteenth century. It is a Grade II listed building. At the time of the 1772 Survey of Oxford, No. 42 St. Giles was occupied by Miss Wheeler, and its frontage measured 7 yards 1 foot 9 inches. In the 1841 and 1851 censuses this house was occupied by Ann Stevens, a widow of 80 by 1851 and described as a proprietor of houses. In 1881 Thomas C. Browne lived here with his wife and his cousin, plus four servants. The building was then a dentist's until late in 1955, when the Registration Office for Births, Marriages, and Deaths moved here (from across the road at No. 13). Within months what is probably its most famous marriage took place: C.S. Lewis married Joy Davidman here on 23 April 1956.

The official opening will be held on March 25th 2010, which marks the first anniversary of the decree establishing St. Bede’s Hall Oxford as a Private Association of the Christian Faithful. The Provost, Dr. Penny Cookson, said “The St. Giles property will make it more convenient for students and staff to gather as it is situated in the heart of Oxford. St. Bede’s new property also means that we have a centre for the life of this new collegial community.”

Press Contact: Dr. Penny Cookson