Everyday Histories

Reflecting on the forthcoming Open Doors weekend at the University Church I decided to explore the Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Everyday Histories: Exploring daily working life through the ages.’

Working as part of the community at St. Mary’s has become a part of my daily life and has developed into a particular chapter in my personal history. Naturally, I’m curious as I observe and engage with the constellation of different working lives that is present in the church, each day I’m here. I’m interested in the working lives that have shaped (and do shape) the history of the University Church. To me, the image is like a palimpsest of people – each having left an impression, whether visible, yet to become visible, or one that is hidden.

I think about how many individuals have worked in this place – doing the endless work... to clean and repair the building, to admit people to the tower, to host musicians, to tend to pigeons, to co-ordinate hospitality, to compose service sheets, to walk into the Chancel to offer prayer, to communicate and share Christian values.

Daily work has a repetition to it that, layer by layer, does create a history. I try to bring awareness to these actions, when I can, so that they are also moments of potential appreciation for the lives we are living and may speak to us with their own life-giving message.

This year we look forward to welcoming people to engage with the church on Open Doors weekend (12th-13th September) through tours, activities, and worship. View our page on the Oxford Preservation Trust website here.