Didn’t Elizabeth I once get fined? Great St Mary’s has a fascinating history. It stands proudly as both a parish and university church. Great St Mary’s is known locally as Great St Mary’s or GSM.
Let’s delve into its story. The first mention of Great St Mary’s dates back to 1205. King John presented Thomas de Chimeleye to the rectory. Some believe the foundations may even date back to 1010. A fire largely destroyed the church on July 9, 1290. It was then rebuilt.
Initially known as The Church of St Mary the Virgin, its name changed in 1352. The crown initially held the right to name the church’s leader. In 1342, this right passed to King’s Hall. Later, Henry VIII folded King’s Hall into Trinity College. The patronage of Great St Mary’s then went to Trinity. It has remained there ever since.
Orders for the new church’s consecration were issued in 1346. However, the orders weren’t enacted until 1351. During the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, townspeople stormed Great St Mary’s. They destroyed university documents.
In the Middle Ages, Great St Mary’s became a meeting place for university debates. This practice ended in 1730. The University’s Senate House was built across the street.
The current building of Great St Mary’s arose between 1478 and 1519. The tower was completed later in 1608. Richard III and Henry VII largely funded the construction. James Essex restored Great St Mary’s in 1766. George Gilbert Scott carried out another restoration in 1850-51. Anthony Salvin did further work in 1857. The south porch was rebuilt in 1888. The 20th century saw more restoration work.
Erasmus and other leading philosophers preached at Great St Mary’s. Martin Bucer influenced Thomas Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer. Bucer was buried here. Queen Mary I had Bucer’s corpse burnt in the marketplace. Elizabeth I had the dust from the burning placed back in Great St Mary’s. It now lies under a brass floor plate in the south chancel.
Great St Mary’s stands in the Liberal Catholic tradition of the Church of England. It is a member of Inclusive Church. Originally, bells hung in a wooden structure in the churchyard. In 1515, the bells were moved to the tower. The structure was dismantled. The bells were replaced in 1722. The Society of Cambridge Youths formed in 1724. It formalized responsibility for ringing them. This society claims to be the oldest bellringing society in Britain. It’s the second oldest at any church worldwide. It has a continuous ringing history.
In 2009, the old bells were replaced with a new ring. Taylors Eayre and Smith Ltd cast them. Dr Martin C Faulkes made the donation possible. The new ring has 13 bells in the key of D. It includes a flat bell no 6. This provides a lighter ring of 8 bells in the key of G. The tenor weighs 24cwt. Some original bells were kept. They continue to sound the Cambridge Chimes.
Great St Mary’s houses two self-contained pipe organs. One is the Parish Organ in the Chancel. It serves the regular congregation. The other is in the West Gallery. This is the University Organ. The University owns and maintains it. It is played for University services. “Father” Bernard Smith originally constructed the University Organ in 1698. William Hill rebuilt it sensitively in 1870. Mander Organs extensively restored it in 1995. It was rededicated on January 30, 1996. The Parish Organ was built in 1991 by Kenneth Jones and Associates.
The church is designed in the Late Perpendicular style. Hardman added the stained glass between 1867 and 1869. Galleries were added in 1735. They accommodated large audiences for special occasions. Attendance to the University Sermon was compulsory. The church contains one of England’s few moveable pulpits. The font dates from 1632. Alan Durst completed the sculpture behind the high altar in 1960. It depicts Christ in Majesty.
Many notable figures have served as vicars. Philip Waggett served from 1927 to 1930. Mervyn Stockwood served from 1955 to 1959. Joseph Fison, Hugh Montefiore, Stanley Booth-Clibborn, Michael Mayne, David Conner and John Binns also held the position. Adrian Daffern served from 2018 to 2022. Jutta Brueck is the current Priest-in-Charge since 2022, and Vicar from 2023. Martin Bucer, the Protestant reformer, is buried here. Stephen Hawking’s funeral was held here in 2018. Jack Merritt’s funeral was held here in 2019.
Great St Mary’s has witnessed centuries of Cambridge history. Its walls have absorbed countless sermons, debates, and moments of both celebration and sorrow. As you stand here, consider the echoes of the past. Think about the countless individuals who have sought solace. They found inspiration within these walls. Great St Mary’s remains a vibrant center of faith, learning, and community.