Our Community
Welcome to Cowley St John – a friendly and open-minded community in the heart of East Oxford. We are an inclusive parish with two churches and a beautiful chapel.
St Mary and St John is our main church on the Cowley Road.
St Alban’s is our smaller church hidden away on Charles Street.
Details of our services are below. We also have a number of other events each month. Sign up to our E-Bulletin for up-to-date information by email.
Bartlemas Chapel Patronal Festival : 23 August 2026
This Sunday we celebrate the Patronal Festival of Bartlemas Chapel and the 900 years for which it has been a place of care and respite in east Oxford. The Bishop of Dorchester will be presiding and preaching at this special Eucharist, at which we will also be joined by the Mayor of Oxford. We start the service at St Mary and St John’s Church at 5.45pm, processing from there to Bartlemas Chapel for the main service, which starts at 6pm. All are very welcome to join us for the service and the refreshments afterwards!
Assistant Music Director Needed
We have a vacancy for an Assistant Music Director at St Mary and St John’s Church. Details of the post, and of how to apply, can be found here. Please click here if you would like to more about music at St Mary and St John and our Choral Scholarships.
Heritage Activity Consultation Questionnaire
Anyone with an interest in heritage activities related to St Mary and St John’s Church is warmly invited to complete and return (to the vicar or the Parish Office: admin@cowleystjohn.co.uk) a copy of the Heritage Activity Consultation Questionnaire which you can access by clinking on the link.
More Information on Services
St Alban’s on Sundays
9.30am, Eucharist or All-Age Service (more informal services particularly suitable for children that include a Eucharist).
St Mary and St John on Sundays
8am & 10.30am, Eucharists
Daily Prayer: Monday-Friday 8am & 5.15pm at St Mary and St John
Weekday Eucharists: Thursdays 10.30am at St Mary and St John.
Bartlemas Evensong: First Sunday of the Month, 5.15pm at Bartlemas Chapel (except January & August)
St Mary & St John Church and Churchyard Plans
We are excited to be planning major refurbishments to the St Mary and St John church and churchyard to make them even more beautiful and more open to the wider community. To see the plans and contribute to our community-wide consultation about them, click here.
Support
We are here to help. Please get in touch if you would like to speak to a priest, email: vicar@cowleystjohn.co.uk