Photograph of people standing and laughing at Oxford Houses' E2 Festival, 1973, Weavers Fields.

Our History

Oxford House has been based in Bethnal Green since 1884. Learn more about our history below.

Past & Present

Oxford House was founded in 1884 as a ‘settlement’ house for graduates of the University of Oxford volunteering in East London. As part of the wider social reformist movement of the 19th century, volunteers from Keble College lived at Oxford House and provided practical support to the community of East London. Schemes to tackle the challenges of urban poverty included legal advice, youth and working men’s clubs, labour exchanges, and adult education courses. 

 

Throughout the years, Oxford House has remained a thriving community hub for our local area. During World War II, Oxford House evacuated local children to free boarding schools, while at home the building served as a bomb shelter for up to 300 community members and continued running youth clubs for local boys and, for the first time during the war, local girls. Post-war, Oxford House would adopt more of a community centre model, in particular serving as a hub for community activism from the 1970s onwards as the building became home to many protest and campaigning groups ranging from anti-racist activism to pensioner action. 

We’re proud to have a history interconnected with the work of social reformers, charities, and campaigning – especially as many of the tenant organisations we host in our building continue to do great work supporting the East End and wider London communities. Today, Oxford House is still a vital community hub. Based in our original Grade II listed building on Derbyshire Street, we underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 and are now home to a 120-seat theatre, gallery, dance studio, Victorian chapel, café and roof terrace. 

 

To explore more material related to the history of Oxford House and those who have called its home, we invite you to browse here and visit our newly published Digital Archive. 

Oxford House Timeline: 1884 - 1945

Oxford House was originally opened in a former school building in 1884. In 1891 work began on a purpose-built building, designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield. This building had a library, dining hall and beautiful chapel. We have been based in this building ever since.

The Revd. Arthur Winnington Ingram became Head of Oxford House in 1889. He was described as an ‘energetic and athletic man with a simple faith and deep pastoral concern’. He eventually became Bishop of London.

Oxford House ran several clubs for local boys and men. The boys' clubs thrived and were very popular with local people. Each year clubs would go on camps and trips outside of London. However, reports show that it was more challenging to retain membership among older men because ‘music halls, cinemas and the wireless’ were ‘very potent-counter-attractions at the time’.

Since the 1800s Oxford House has produced an annual report which looks back on the year’s work and achievements. This annual review is from 1943, during the World War II. Oxford House was fortunate to avoid damage during the war which devastated the East End and during the 1940’s Blitz over 400 local people spent their nights in our basement.

Sally Clutton- Brock (centre) was the first child to live at Oxford House. This photograph shows her playing on the roof with other local children. Oxford House managed to stay open during the war and several clubs and community projects thrived during this period. With so many men away during the war, Oxford House focused many of its activities towards women and girls.

Oxford House Timeline: 1945 - Present

Oxford House began to develop clubs for women and girls from the 1940s onwards. Often these groups would take day trips together and visit different places in the UK.

We have always held festivals at Oxford House. This photo is from the E2 Festival in 1973, which was held in Weavers Fields, the large park opposite our building.

For over 120 years we have run clubs and societies for young people.

East London's Somali community has played an important role in our history at Oxford House. Since the late 1980s there have been Somali clubs and cultural events at Oxford House. Somali Week is annual cultural festival, which began at Oxford House and continues to this day, coinciding with Black History Month.

Contact Oxford House Cafe, Community & Culture Centre in Bethnal Green, London

Oxford House recently underwent a major two year refurbishment, reopening in 2019.. This work has saved our building for the next generation, restored our chapel and improved access at Oxford House.

Annual Review Covers

Oxford House Annual Review 19-14-16
Oxford House Annual Review 1942-43

Exterior of Oxford House,1891

Oxford House was originally opened in a former school building in 1884. In 1891 work began on a purpose-built building, designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield. This building had a library, dining hall and beautiful chapel. We have been based in this building ever since.

Reverend Arthur Winnington Ingram, 1902. (copyright V&A London)

The Revd. Arthur Winnington Ingram became Head of Oxford House in 1889. He was described as an ‘energetic and athletic man with a simple faith and deep pastoral concern’. He eventually became Bishop of London.

Boys Club, 1937

Oxford House ran several clubs for local boys and men. The boys' clubs thrived and were very popular with local people. Each year clubs would go on camps and trips outside of London. However, reports show that it was more challenging to retain membership among older men because ‘music halls, cinemas and the wireless’ were ‘very potent-counter-attractions at the time’.

Oxford House Annual Report, 1943

Since the 1800s Oxford House has produced an annual report which looks back on the year’s work and achievements. This annual review is from 1943, during the World War II. Oxford House was fortunate to avoid damage during the war which devastated the East End and during the 1940’s Blitz over 400 local people spent their nights in our basement.

Rooftop during WW2

Sally Clutton- Brock (centre) was the first child to live at Oxford House. This photograph shows her playing on the roof with other local children. Oxford House managed to stay open during the war and several clubs and community projects thrived during this period. With so many men away during the war, Oxford House focused many of its activities towards women and girls.

Oxford House Outing, 1962

Oxford House began to develop clubs for women and girls from the 1940s onwards. Often these groups would take day trips together and visit different places in the UK.

E2 Festival, 1973

We have always held festivals at Oxford House. This photo is from the E2 Festival in 1973, which was held in Weavers Fields, the large park opposite our building.

Youth Club Music Session, 1986

For over 120 years we have run clubs and societies for young people.

Somali Café at Oxford House Café, 1986

East London's Somali community has played an important role in our history at Oxford House. Since the late 1980s there have been Somali clubs and cultural events at Oxford House. Somali Week is annual cultural festival, which began at Oxford House and continues to this day, coinciding with Black History Month.

Contact Oxford House Cafe, Community & Culture Centre in Bethnal Green, London

Oxford House, 2020

Oxford House recently underwent a major two year refurbishment, reopening in 2019.. This work has saved our building for the next generation, restored our chapel and improved access at Oxford House.

Contact Oxford House Cafe, Community & Culture Centre in Bethnal Green, London
Oxford House Annual Review 19-14-16

Oxford House Annual Review 1914-16

Oxford House Annual Review 1942-43

Oxford House Annual Review 1942-43

Oxford House Annual Review 1949-1950

Oxford House Annual Review 1953-1954

Oxford House Annual Review 1975-76

Oxford House Annual Review 1976-77

Oxford House Annual Review 1991-92

Oxford House Annual Review 1993-94

Oxford House Annual Review 1997-98

Oxford House Annual Review 2002-3

Oxford House Annual Review 2012-13

Oxford House Annual Review 19-14-16
Oxford House Annual Review 1942-43