Visiting St Giles' Church in Oxford

The original Norman church was built for Edwin, son of Godegose, and completed in 1120. Its existence and the owner's intention to build it had been previously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

In 1139, Edwin granted the church and all its associated property to the recently founded Benedictine Godstow Abbey, located approximately 2 miles northwest of the site.

Although built earlier, the church was not formally consecrated until 1200 by Saint Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. The consecration is believed to be commemorated by a 13th- or 14th-century cross on the bell tower.

The bell tower was finished early in the 13th century, coinciding with the addition of aisle arcades and Early English Gothic lancet windows. The Decorated Gothic chancel was added later in the century.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries and a period of lay ownership by Dr. George Owen, the church was sold in 1573 to Sir Thomas White. He subsequently granted it to St John's College, which has held the advowson ever since.

The church building suffered damage during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century. Records suggest services continued under vicar John Goad during Parliamentary artillery bombardments in 1645.

Various parts of the building underwent repairs throughout the 19th century. Notably, the rebuilding of the chapel on the south side of the chancel was initiated in 1850.

The church's ring of eight bells was removed in August 2011 for professional repair and tuning. Following work at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, they were returned and re-hung in November of the same year.