60th Anniversary of St Cross College
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St Cross as viewed from above in it's central postion in Oxford
Founded in 1965, St Cross College was created as a new kind of Oxford college — one that reflected the changing face of research and scholarship in the modern University. Informal, egalitarian, and outward-looking, St Cross quickly became known for its convivial communal life and the lively exchange of ideas across subjects, cultures, and disciplines.
From those modest beginnings, the College has grown into a thriving postgraduate community of more than 600 students and Fellows, drawn from every field and from all over the world. Over the past six decades, St Cross has nurtured more than 6,000 scholars and researchers who have gone on to make their mark across the globe, united by their affection for the College and their time in Oxford.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we reflect with pride on how far we have come — and look forward with confidence to the future. The values that defined St Cross from the start remain at its heart: a spirit of openness, curiosity, and community that enriches the academic life of the University. Throughout this celebratory year, we invite you to join us for a vibrant programme of events as we honour our past, celebrate our present, and look ahead to the decades to come.
Events
Exhibition: History of St Cross
We were delighted to commence an ongoing exhibition about the history of St Cross at the 60th anniversary Opening Event on 18th October 2025, featuring a series of special occasions.
The day began with a panel discussion, titled "St Cross at 60," held at Pusey House. The panel was chaired by Student Committee President Jaid Debrah and offered a thoughtful reflection on the College’s history by Professors Diarmaid MacCulloch, Helena Hamerow and John Barton. Diarmaid is one of the authors of the St Cross College at 50 book, while Helena and John are long-standing members of our community.
Following the discussion, guests were invited to embark on a self-guided tour of the College, using maps provided for a treasure-hunt-style exploration of key locations. Running concurrently was a historical exhibition featuring a display that traced the College’s journey from its beginnings to the present day. This was accompanied by meaningful objects from decades past and models of College buildings (both realised and unrealised). The exhibition combined photographs, information and objects spanning six decades, telling the rich story of St Cross’s development.
We’re delighted to share photos - for those who attended and those who couldn’t, everyone can enjoy the moments captured. Explore the Gallery - and if you don't see thumbnails of the photos, please select the grid view in the top-right corner for the best overview.
We will have further exhibitions throughout the year, so please watch this space!
Share Your Memories
We would be delighted to receive your memories and memorabilia during the 60th anniversary year.
Please do share your St Cross reminiscences with us - whether photos, objects, cherished stories, or publication excerpts - at development@stx.ox.ac.uk or by post at: The Development Office, St Cross College, 61 St Giles', Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3LZ, United Kingdom.
We would be delighted to see them, and with your permission, we will incorporate your memories and memorabilia in a special display at the Anniversary Celebration Weekend in September 2026. We are also planning a digital display online at other points during the year.
If you would prefer for your submissions to remain private, please let us know and we will respect your wishes.
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