I would appreciate any help from experts on this forum! I will be in Oxford late August on a Sunday and Monday. Interested in attending evensong but am having trouble verifying that these services are held when the colleges are not in term. Also, any recommendations on Christ Church, New or Mertzon evensongs and which you enjoyed the most.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
Christ Church for one does have evensong some days of the week outside of term time, but during August many of the choirs are visitors and not the 'regular' ones. The colleges tend to publish a programme at the beginning of the month.
Posted by
SF Bay Area
330 posts
We attended evensong at Christ Church Cathedral twice last September (school was not in session, but the college was hosting various conference groups), on a Wednesday and a Friday, I believe. Highly recommended. A beautiful service. We were even guided to "comfy" seats in the chancel by an ancient usher; just be careful not to sit under a canopy!
Since we were (temporary) residents at Christ Church we could wander around the college and even (quietly) listen from the church entrance, well before the service. Non-residents had to wait outside the gate on the street until closer to the service time (maybe 15 minutes?) and then were allowed to enter the college grounds.