Christ Church is a unique institution, one of the largest colleges in the University of Oxford and, at the same time, the Cathedral Church for the Diocese of Oxford.
Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films were shot in various locations of the college and the Great Hall was replicated in the film studios to create Hogwarts Hall.
Stained Glass
Christ Church has much exceptional glass, from quite varied centuries. The earliest is the 1320 window in the Lucy Chapel showing, in a panel in the tracery glass, the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. This panel is a very rare pre-Reformation image of Becket as Henry VIII had ordered all such images of Becket to be destroyed.
The Shrine
Made in 1289, the Shrine is the oldest monument in the Cathedral, and shows exquisitly carved stone faces peeping out from behind foliage. In its day it was the single most significant object in the church.
Chancel Vault
Regarded as the chief architectural glory of Christ Church, the Chancel Vault is a sublime example of late medieval rib vaulting. It is a Lierne Pendant vault, built by William Orchard in around 1500. It is made up of 12 lantern shaped pendants that hang miraculously suspended in mid-air, and tiny ribs of stone, known as 'liernes', that intersect along the centre of the vault creating large eight-pointed star shapes - the stars of heaven.