Parish boundary markers in central Oxford
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City Church of Michael at the Northgate |
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University Church of St Mary the Virgin |
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Boundary Stone where St Mary Magdalen parish |
Boundary stone where three parishes meet |
In all there are about thirty parish boundary markers in central Oxford. The ones that are on private property (including colleges) are not shown on this website.
An exception is made for the rather special boundary stone in Marks & Spencer (above) because it can easily be seen during shop opening hours. It used to be on the street (before the alley in which it stood was engulfed by the surrounding shop).
The Beating of the Bounds
Since medieval times the annual beating of the bounds has confirmed the extent of a parish’s jurisdiction and responsibilities. Only two churches in the centre of Oxford now do it:
The City Church of St Michael-at-the-Northgate and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin always beat their bounds on Ascension Day (the fortieth day of Easter and thus always on a Thursday). Because a number of central Oxford parishes have been amalgamated, they now share a large section of boundary, with the result that they both pass through Brasenose College on their perambulation.
Other churches in central Oxford would also have beaten their bounds in the past. Here is Anthony Wood's account of St John-the-Baptist Church, which shared Merton College chapel and whose parish was united with that of St Peter-in-the-East in 1891: