Standing in the center of Oxford, St. Giles is one of many churches dedicated to this famous saint. The earliest records of a church come from just after the Norman Conquest, when Alwyn Godgoose wanted to build a church on his land. However, it was only consecrated in 1200. The church was consecrated by a man called St. Hugh of Lincoln. Buildings began to appear around the church, filling the empty space outside the old city wall, including a house and four inns. A poor house was added in the 18th century, and the area around St. Giles became a village in its own right. It survived many epidemics in the Victorian era, and continued to expand, joining with Oxford itself.

There is a legend that Price Rupert was shot in the foot as he passed St Giles' riding up the road to Banbury towards the Parliamentary lines without his armour.