oxford martyr church_of_england parish church tradition oxford england near oxford railway station located west row east opposite overview church founded 12th century dedicated building retains original architecture substantial expansions repairs particularly 17th century 19th century church played significant role early stages site daily services practices altar candles wearing leaders movement preached church early closely associated history restoration traditionally held church founded reign stephen unlikely true years stephen death known site granted nearby abbey chapel erected site century area referred parish remained nominally chapel abbey dissolution monasteries henry_viii placed christ church oxford christ church treated conventional parish church mid-19th century incumbent styled vicar placed patronage christ church scholars members college held author enlarged church english civil war medieval stained glass church destroyed partly vandalism troops captured imprisoned church following restoration holders changed rapidly remaining position years time christ church leased house high street parish trustees profits repairing church continued house sold 19th 20th centuries early 19th century church parish showing signs neglect recorded parish thought non church reduced creation parishes brought significant turnaround attendance unusual innovation floating chapel acquired use chapel serving families working river oxford canal boat thomas chapel ease donated local coal merchant sank replaced chapel dedicated remained use second chapel built dedicated later replaced new parish church took parish new major repairs carried beginning floor level raised flood level feet roof rebuilt south wall rebuilt original materials main features 12th century chancel arch discarded vicar later founder firm believer movement introduced daily services practices altar candles wearing causing leaders including preached church early days movement closely associated chamberlain founded community thomas martyr devoted assistance poor parish heavily remained active convent buildings built demolished north aisle demolished new aisle bays west end built place blocked tower arch blocked windows chancel opened new chancel arch built vicar later building built north wall tower declared ancient parish church_of_england introduced women priests like parishes people thomas decided accept women terms resolutions passed general archbishop_of_canterbury placed church care provincial episcopal visitor oversees parish diocese oxford present congregation maintains anglo catholic traditions building added register architecture church nave north aisle west tower chancel south porch nave rebuilt late 15th early 16th century meet tower approximately age dated appears built older foundations southern nave contains probably thirteenth century buttresses pair windows north aisle originally built 13th century rebuilt built 17th century rebuilt designs chamberlain church twice chancel ceiling decorated windows style late 12th century priest door built south circa south porch built behest arms carved date given hangs chancel chancel ceiling decorated pattern gold stars blue background years later altar erected east end north aisle placed north wall chancel royal arms displayed tower thomas church grade listed building churchyard contains building originally built school designed remains earlier building thomas present amounted single cottage brick gateway
St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Oxford