A MULTI-MILLION pound development at an Oxfordshire theological college has taken a step forward as the foundation stones were blessed.

Ripon College, in Cuddesdon, is spending £6.4m on a new education centre and chapel.

Foundation stones for both the new buildings have been carved by stonemason Bil Brown – the man behind many of the gargoyles at Oxford University colleges.

On Wednesday, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, blessed the stone for the new education centre, while the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Michael Perham, dedicated the stone for the new chapel.

Bishop John said: “The new complex will be a great asset to the college as it continues to provide high- quality theological training to future priests.”

The new four-storey timber and glass education centre will include a lecture theatre, student accommodation, and a new home for the religious order the Sisters of Begbroke, currently based at Begbroke Priory.

It is to be called Harriet Monsell House, after the founder of the Community of St John Baptist, who worked with former prostitutes, single mothers, orphanages and hospitals.

The second building was dedicated to a former principal of the college and later Bishop of Lincoln, Bishop Edward King, and is set to provide a new worship space at the centre of the community.

The identical foundation stones have been carved with the Lamb of God to represent the Community of St John Baptist, and the Cuddesdon crosses, to demonstrate the coming together of two communities.

Work on the new buildings is due to be completed by August 2012.

College development director Sophie Farrant said: “It is very exciting to be realising a vision for the future for Cuddesdon.

“We are delighted to be investing in theological education in these difficult times.

“There is a real sense of excitement as we are beginning to see the buildings coming up out of the ground.”

The college has been training the religious leaders of the future for their ordination into the Church of England since it was founded by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce in 1854.

One third of today’s bishops, deans and archdeacons in the Church of England trained at Ripon College.