Littlemore – Past und Present
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morning sunshine at Newman’s College, Littlemore |
John Henry Newman retreated to Littlemore to a property that had originally been used by the Oxford to Cambridge coach company. The former stable accommodated Newman’s library and the cottages provided residential accommodation. A covered verandah was constructed to link the cottages, while the courtyard was turned into a garden. Newman lived at this property, later called “The College”, from 1842 to 1846 in the company of a small number of friends and aquaintances. Their life was almost monastic and they devoted regular time to prayer and study.
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Newman’s writing desk in his bedroom
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In 1845 Newman wrote his ‘Development of Christian Doctrine’ and towards the end of this work it became clear to him that he must seek admission into the Roman Catholic Church. When Fr Dominic Barberi visited Littlemore, Newman and two of his companions were received into the Church on 9th October 1845.
Not long after Newman left the College in February 1846, it became the property of the Anglican Diocese of Oxford and it was during this period that the cottages became almshouses. The Fathers of the Birmingham Oratory acquired the property in 1951 and set out to restore the character it had in Newman’s time.
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Newman’s bust in the garden
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In 1986 the Fathers invited the Spiritual Family The Work to help with the welcome of pilgrims and visitors to The College and with the day to day upkeep. In 1988 they became custodians of the premises. The International Centre of Newman Friends was opened and the Charity The Society of The Work (Reg.Charity No. 802099) was registed.
From 1988 The Work co-operated with the Birmingham Oratory in the renovation of the College (Newman’s chapel, the adjoining bedroom and library) and further developed their mission by gathering a substanstial selection of Newman’s writings and Newman-related literature in the same room in which Newman kept his library while living here. It is available to Newman scholars and friends. There is also an exhibition of Newman memorabilia, including pictures, sculptures, original letters and objects.
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Chapel with the statue of Blessed John Henry Newman
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Pilgrims can visit Newman’s room, in which many historic features have been preserved. The chapel, which is regularly used for prayer and Mass, is similar to how it would have been when Newman and his companions prayed there. Visitors may come to pray in the same place where Newman spent so much of his time in search of the truth, and where he had the grace and happiness of being received into what he believed to be “the one true Fold of Christ” (Letters and Diaries XI, 5).
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College Corner from outside |
The leasehold of the College implying the day-to-day-care, the administration and maintenance of the buildings and gardens is a considerable task for The Society of The Work, that can only be fulfilled with the help of benefactors.
For information on how you can support The College
click here.
The tasks of the International Centre of Newman Friends at Littlemore are manifold and include:
– daily care and upkeep of the premises
– welcome of visitors and guests
– guided tours of Newman’s Oxford
– continuous development of the Newman library and exhibition
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library at Littlemore
– provision of lectures and talks on Newman, including school visits
– organisation of specific Newman events (Annual Newman Pilgrimage, Annual Night Walk on 8th October, pilgrims’ Masses, days of prayer etc.)
– personal contact with Newman Friends
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