About Jesus College/Our community/Jesus College Chapel/
People

Our Chapel community is friendly and welcoming. Click on the tabs below to meet some of the people who keep it running.

Chris Dingwall-Jones

Chris Dingwall Jones

Chris is Chaplain of Jesus College. His role is to be here for all students and staff, regardless of faith – or absence thereof. He’s available to talk through difficulties and problems, to give advice, to discuss deep theological questions, or just to chat over coffee. As a member of the Welfare Team, he’s also able to signpost people to other areas of support if necessary.

He has a PhD is in Theatre and Performance Studies, looking at the representation of ‘madness’ in modern British theatre, and is keen to encourage the arts within College. If you have any ideas of events or performances you’d like to use Chapel for, do get in touch!

Chris has done not one but two Oxford undergrad degrees, in English and Theology, so understands the pressures and stresses of this way of learning, and the difficulties of balancing work and play when there’s so much to read, think about, and do.

Do get in touch by email at chaplain@jesus.ox.ac.uk, or telephone (01865 279757).

Peter Parshall

Peter read Theology and was Organ Scholar of Westminster College, Oxford, from where he studied the organ with David Saint at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Having held church and cathedral posts in Oxford and Dublin, he is now based in Devon where he runs a private teaching practice and directs several choirs. Having worked for the Royal School of Church music for many years, both in the UK and in Ireland, as an educator, examiner and facilitator, he was honoured recently with the award of Associate of the RSCM. Peter is Artistic Director of the new South Wessex Organ Society, occasional composer, with works having been commissioned and recorded by choirs in the UK, Ireland and the USA, the co-editor of the choral anthology, Weddings for Choirs, published by Oxford University Press, and a contributor to the New Dictionary of National Biography.

The Organ Scholars work as a team under the direction of Peter Parshall, the Chapel Music Co-ordinator. Alongside Peter, they help to organise and direct the music at Chapel services.

Ollie Edwardes

Ollie joined Jesus College as Organ Scholar in October 2020. Learning several instruments from a young age, Ollie took up the organ at his school in Stratford-upon-Avon. He became a member of numerous choirs, orchestras and wind bands and developed a passion for church music, playing the organ in local churches and working with local choirs. With Grade 7 Distinction on the organ and Grade 8 Distinction on the Trumpet, Ollie very much looks forward to all the musical opportunities in Oxford, especially with the choir at Jesus College.

Himeno Niimi

Himeno is in her second year reading for a degree in French. She started learning the organ in sixth-form at Westminster School with Ben Bloor, having played the piano for 10 years. She also joined the chapel choir and was instantly drawn into the harmonies of church music. Holding a Grade 8 Distinction on the piano, Himeno looks forward to embracing all the opportunities at Oxford and re-energising the post-pandemic music community at Jesus College.

Conrad Spencer

Conrad joined Jesus College in October 2022. Starting his musical education on the piano, he began learning the organ at Reading School, regularly playing for services in the school chapel and local churches. He also plays the bassoon and has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra for the last three years. Conrad has spent his gap year studying the Organ Foundation Course at the Royal Academy of Music in London and is looking forward to putting into practice what he has learnt, in addition to enjoying the wider musical experiences Oxford offers.

The Chapel Clerks are responsible for the day to day running of Chapel services – finding readers and people to lead prayers, setting up and tidying Chapel, and generally being helpful. They also enjoy perks including free Sunday Formals.