Over 500 people gathered on Friday 26th June at a memorial service in University Church, Oxford to celebrate the life and lasting legacy of Revd. William Sykes, College Chaplain from 1978-2005 and Emeritus Fellow.

The Revd. Canon Brian Mountford of the University Church gave the introduction, and Dr Steven Parissien (1978, History) and Dr Leslie Mitchell, Emeritus Fellow, delivered the Addresses. Dr Sarah Smith (1981, History) gave a reading of Psalm 121, and The Master read a reflection by F. Buechner from Bill’s Visions of Glory.

Music for the service included a Fantasia commissioned in Bill’s honour by the Adamson family: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.” by Malcolm Archer, and ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ by John Rutter, sung by present and former members of the Univ Chapel Choir, conducted by Director of Music Giles Underwood. Organist was Thierry Hirsch (2011, Classics), Univ organ scholar. The service opened with Toccata and Fugue in D Minor ‘Dorian’ by J.S. Bach and the hymn Dear Lord and Father of mankind. The final hymn was Guide me, O thou great Redeemer and the service closed with J.S. Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor.

Guests then gathered in the Master’s Garden after the service for refreshments.

The Reverend William Sykes Memorial Fund

The College has established The Reverend William Sykes Memorial Fund to continue Bill’s legacy by providing perpetual funds in support of two of Bill’s passions: the Chapel Choir and College sport.

Published: 30 June 2015

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