University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Breathtaking panoramic views from the historic spire

High St, Oxford OX1 4BJ, UK

There are many tower-like buildings in Oxford

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Introduction

St. Mary's Church is a historic Gothic building, serving as the Cathedral of the University of Oxford for nearly a thousand years. It is a grand and magnificent building, with its spiral columns being a major innovation in the history of British architecture. It also has a unique geographical location, being right next to Gloucester Green bus station, and is often the first impression many tourists have of Oxford. From the top of the church tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city of Oxford. The porch was built in 1637 but bears marks from the war in 1645. St. Mary's Church was initially a shared church for all colleges, where all ceremonies, formal meetings, and exams were held. However, the activities of each college became increasingly independent, and the role of the church gradually weakened. In the 13th century, there was a conflict between the university students and the townspeople, and the king ruled that the townspeople should compensate the university for its losses and cover its expenses for 500 years. Every year on the Feast of Corpus Christi, a delegation of Oxford townspeople comes to the church to deliver the compensation, in memory of this historic event.