History Mansfield College, Oxford

stained glass window in college chapel, l-r sir henry vane, oliver cromwell , john hampden

in 1871, universities tests act abolished religious tests non-theological degrees @ oxford, cambridge, london , durham universities. first time educational , social opportunities offered britain s premier institutions open nonconformists. prime minister enacted these reforms, william ewart gladstone, encouraged creation of nonconformist college @ oxford.

spring hill college moved oxford in 1886 , renamed mansfield college after greatest donors, george , elizabeth mansfield.

the magnificent victorian buildings, designed basil champneys, completed in 1889.

mansfield first nonconformist college open in oxford. college accepted male students only, first woman being admitted in 1913.

during world war ii, on 40 members of staff government code & cypher school moved college prepare british codes , cyphers, whilst gc&cs members @ bletchley park worked decipher german enigma codes.

in 1955, college granted status of permanent private hall within university of oxford , in 1995 royal charter awarded giving institution full college status.

since college first formally integrated university structure in 1955, nonconformist aspects have gradually diminished. until 2007, united reformed church (urc) sponsored course @ mansfield training ordinands. these students became matriculated members of university , received degrees. mansfield no longer trains urc ordinands.

the nonconformist history of college still apparent in few of features. portrait of oliver cromwell hangs in senior common room , portraits of 1662 dissenters hang in library , corridors of main college building, portraits of viscount saye , sele, john hampden, thomas jollie , hugh peters.

one place nonconformist history of institution still apparent in college chapel. non-consecrated space , contains unique selection of stained glass windows , statues depicting leading figures nonconformist movements, including cromwell, sir henry vane , william penn among many others. in 1940, whilst lecturer @ university college, future british prime minister harold wilson married mary baldwin in chapel, although not member of college. chapel services still conducted in nonconformist tradition. nevertheless, on years attendance @ chapel services has declined , make-up of general student body no longer reflects nonconformist religious origins of college.

because of nonconformist roots, college still has many strong links american schools. has long established tradition of accepting 30 junior year abroad students usa every year. these students come study in oxford 1 academic year , have full access libraries , designated tutors.

as of 2012, college had estimated financial endowment of £10 million.