The construction of Blackbird Leys began in the 1960's largely to meet the need for affordable housing near the Cowley car works.  The churches in Oxford were determined that in the new estate Christians of different traditions should worship together in one building.

The Church of the Holy Family began its life as soon as the estate of Blackbird Leys.  At first it met in the priest's home; then in the Health Centre; then in a wooden hut.  The church, designed by Colin Shewring, was built and dedicated in 1965. 

It is one of the most distinctive buildings on the estate and in Oxford, with its curved walls and roof.  The acoustic is excellent.  A hall and other meeting rooms were added to the complex on the corner of Cuddesdon Way, which are used for a variety of community groups, and are available for hire.

And so it is today there is one congregation, sponsored by the Baptist Union, the Church of England, the  Methodist, Moravian and United Reformed Churches.  This arrangement is formally known as a ‘Local Ecumenical Partnership’.

When Blackbird Leys was declared a parish in the 1980's the church became also the parish church.  It now serves a population of around 13,500.

The congregation is warm and welcoming and seeks to be open and inclusive.  Its common life is founded on prayer.

Its faith is rooted in God, expressed in the community and bears fruit in action for peace and justice.  From the outset, the church has played an important part in the life of Blackbird Leys, as a centre of worship, a provider of buildings for community use and personal involvement in community projects.  With the assistance of the Church Community worker, the Adventure Playground, the Credit Union, local pre-schools and the Advice Centre got off the ground.  The church has also been at the forefront of the Community Development Initiative.  And we give active encouragement to Oxford Youth Works who use our premises in their work with young people on the estate.

There is a full time Anglican Minister and a part time Free Church Minister, they are helped by other part time Ministers. 

A history of Blackbird Leys was written by Dorothy Fox in 1990 And was updated ten years later.  A link to the text of this can be found here:

Blackbird Leys A thirty year history.pdf

More recently Geoffrey Beck who had been an active participant in the early development of ecumenical work at The Church of the Holy Family wrote and history of this groundbreaking work.  This can be found at:

The Blackbird Leys Saga.pdf