The pulpit of St Mary's Church

The start of the Oxford Movement is often dated from a famous sermon delivered in this pulpit which stands towards the east end of the Nave in the University Church. The poet, cleric, and former Fellow of Oriel College, John Keble (1792-1866) delivered an address on ‘National Apostasy’ in 1833. This was a passionate and profound attack on the political reforms and religious ideals of the age. It sounded a clarion call to those who wished to oppose them and rediscover the authority of the Church. Every bit as important were the weekly sermons delivered here by John Henry Newman (1801-1890), vicar of the University Church. Through them undergraduates and academics alike were persuaded to rethink their ideas about the Church of England.

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