Blackfriars, Oxford

The history of Blackfriars is closely intertwined with that of Oxford University itself, even though the building is relatively new when compared to other structures in Oxford.

The Blackfriars, a religious order, established themselves in Oxford in 1221. They were involved in teaching, but they operated independently from the emerging University colleges, often finding themselves in conflicts with them. During the Reformation, the teachings of the friars were suppressed, and they left Oxford until 1929.

Upon their return, Dorian Webb transformed three houses into the Dominican Priory, designed in the late 17th-century style, which is now located just 600 meters away from their original site. This is the Blackfriars that you can visit today. Within this building, you will find three significant institutions and two smaller ones.

The larger institutions are the Priory of the Holy Spirit, Blackfriars Hall, and Blackfriars Stadium. The Stadium serves as a center for the study of Theology and Philosophy, while Blackfriars Hall is one of the University's six Permanent Private Halls, specializing in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE). Additionally, it offers a student program for international visitors, covering subjects like English, Classics, and British History.

Two other notable institutions within Blackfriars are the Aquinas Institute, which focuses on the study of St. Thomas Aquinas and was established in 2004, and the Las Casas Institute, founded in 2008, which concentrates on Ethics, Governance, and Social Justice. The Blackfriars Library is home to an extensive collection of over 35,000 books in the fields of Theology and Philosophy.