England
Cambridgeshire

Cambridge Churches

Great St. Mary's (commonly known as GSM or St. Mary the Great)
The largest church in Cambridge serves a dual purpose as the city's church and that of Cambridge University. During the medieval period it served as a meeting hall for the University and the annual conferment of degrees ceremony was held here until the Senate House was erected across the road in 1730.

There was a church here as early as 1205, though that early building was destroyed by fire in 1290. The chancel walls are all that remain of the early church. The existing building is almost entirely the product of a major rebuilding project that began in 1478. The exterior is fairly unremarkable, though a good example of Perpendicular Gothic style.

Later Victoirian additions include the west door, by Sir Gilbert Scott. Above that door is a 17th century clock face, made to strike the hour to the tune of Handel's Aria (the same chime was later copied for Big Ben in London). The tower can be climbed (123 steps) for good views of the old city centre and most of the colleges.

The roof of the nave (1505) was built with 100 oak trees from Chesterford, donated by Henry VII. Most of the glass is late Victorian, while the font is a product of the early 17th century. It is likely that its plain design and lack of religious symbolism allowed it to survive the turmoil of the Puritan years. St. Mary's has two organs, one bought by the University in 1697, and a parish organ of 1869. The university organ is worthy of note; it's case is a fine example of 17th century work, ornamented with gilded cherub heads. In the north aisle is the King Henry VII Hearse Cloth, made of 16th century velvet on cloth of gold.

Great St. Mary's had a reputation as a gathering place for leaders of the English Reformation, and Erasmus, Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley all preached here. Martin Bucer, who influenced Cranmer's "Book of Common Prayer" was buried in the churchyard until Queen Mary had his bones dug up and burnt in the market place. When Queen Elizabeth came to the throne she ordered the dust from the spot where Bucer's corpse had been burned to be gathered up and placed in an urn beneath his monument in the church.

Little St. Mary's (St. Mary the Less)
The original 12th century church on this site was known as St. Peter-without-Trumpington-Gate. This dedication provided the name for the neighbouring college of Peterhouse. Students at Peterhouse worshipped in the church until the college chapel was erected in 1632. Some fragmentary remains of that first church can be seen in the porch.

In 1349 the current St. Mary the Less was begun. A covered passage to Peterhouse was provided as part of the church design, emphasizing the close ties between church and college.

Especially notable are the large traceried windows, though none of the glass is original. In front of the altar is a brass memorial to John Holbrook, Master of Peterhouse in 1436.Beside the west entrance is a wall tablet to Godfrey Washington, grandfather of the first American president.

Details
Little St. Mary's
Trumpington Street
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
England
CB2 1QG
Location: next door to Peterhouse
Website: Little St. Mary's
Phone: 01223 366 202
map
OS TL4489 580

Round Church
Located on Round Church Street, this striking church was begun in 1130. Its unusual circular design was meant to ermulate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and it is one of only four surviving medieval round churches in England. The site upon which the church stands was given to the Fraternity of the Holy Sepulchre (made up of Knights Templar) by the Abbot of Ramsey Abbey. The small nave is encircled by large Norman pillars, though the conical roof is a product of the 19th century. Presentations and guided historical walks around the town.

St Bene't's (St Benedicts)
St. Benedict's church (more commonly known as St Bene't's) was erected around the year 1020 and the tower was added just a few years later. The tower's early date makes it the oldest intact building in the county. The long-and-short quoins at the corners are notable, as is the Saxon arch.

During the medieval period the Guild oif Corpus Christi met regularly at St. Bene't's. The Guild later joined with the Giuild of St. Mary's to found Corpus Christi College (1352) and from 1353 to 1579 St. Bene't's served as the college chapel.

The south wall is believed to be part of the original Saxon church, but the north and east walls were replaced in the Victorian period. Two 13th century pierce the south wall, and the lower part of the nave features more Saxon long-and-short quoins. In the north aisle is a 17th century firehook used to pull thatch off the roof of burning buildings.

Details
St Bene't's (St Benedicts)
Bene't Street
Cambridge
Cambridgeshire
England

Website: St Bene't's (St Benedicts)
Email: office@stbenets.com
OS TL448 582

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Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2001