MANY of Bicester’s stand-out buildings are down to the organising efforts of various religious groups over the years – and it is no different for Bicester’s Methodist Church, at the northern end of Sheep Street.

Methodism has a long and interesting history in Bicester: with roots back to the early 1800s when worship began in the Bowerman’s family farmhouse – which was not far from the current site.

Throughout the 19th century a number of different groups of varying Wesleyan persuasion worshipped in different buildings, including what is now the Weyland Hall and the old Wesleyan chapel on North Street.

In 1890, these groups came together and formed the United Methodist Free Church and by 1919 the current site was acquired for a brand new unifying church building.

A whole row of cottages between 72-78 Sheep Street had to be demolished to make way for this church, which was opened in 1927.

Sir Nicholas Pevsner, an architectural historian of the 20th century, described the building as ‘an extraordinary mixture’ of architectural styles and motifs – and it certainly is.

The three tall lancet windows in the centre of the front façade hark back to the earliest medieval Gothic design, the flowing curvilinear tracery at their heads is typical of art nouveaux, while the central fielded panel with its very unusual flanking geometric pilasters has art deco styling.

In fact 1927, the date of this building, is just on the cusp of the full blown art deco period.

Methodist churches were often built as rather simple chapels – with a single main entrance opening into an open meeting hall.

The form of this building, however, is much more complex with small projecting wings on the side elevations and a rather imposing front façade with its decorative stone and brickwork.

A tower was even originally planned in one corner – clearly our Bicester Methodists were not short of ambition.

Inside, rather delightfully, this architectural minestrone continues. The central hall, or nave, faces a raised platform which, with its proud pointed arches and carved foliate capitals, is a Victorian gothic revival chancel in all but name.

The windows have domestic Edwardian stained glass flower motifs, but great swags of art nouveau tracery.

The ceiling - consisting of huge swathes of timber - no doubt installed to add gravitas and monumentality to the central worship space – is actually fashioned like a Tudor hammer-beam roof.

And the curvilinear motif found outside is repeated here in the pierced wooden panels between the collar beams.

This wonderful building, with its eclectic and idiosyncratic architecture, is still at the centre of Bicester’s Methodist worship today – and an extension, built at the rear in Victoria Road in the 1950s, hosts many a community event.

For more information on this and many other buildings in the town please visit blhs.org.uk, or purchase a copy of our latest DVD, “Bicester’s Buildings”, either from Coles Bookstore or directly from the society.