Mansfield College

Mansfield College was founded in 1886 by the Congregation­alists. This was a natural development from the University's final removal of religious restrictions, following the Test Act of Glad­stone in 1871. This removed the last objections to the entry of non-Anglicans into University life, leading to an influx of Non­conformists.

Mansfield's foundation is derived from Spring Hill College, Birmingham, which had been founded in 1830 as a Congrega­tionalist theological college. Its endowments were transferred to Mansfield, the name commemorating George Stover Mansfield and his sister Mrs. Sarah Glover, the two chief founders of Spring Hill.

While forming a part of the University, Mansfield differs from the older colleges and is one of three 'Permanent Private Halls' created under modern statutes, Campion Hall for members of the Society of Jesus, St. Benet's Hall for Benedictines, and Mansfield College primarily for the training of graduates as Congregationalist ministers.

The buildings, designed by Basil Champneys, are imposing, forming an open quadrangle, and bear comparison with the best of 'modern' Oxford.