What if these blackened walls could talk? This is St Clement’s Church in Cambridge. It stands as a testament to centuries of faith. The church is located on Bridge Street. It offers a green oasis in the central Cambridge conservation area.
St Clement’s history stretches back to the 13th century. It is believed to stand on the site of an even earlier building. The walls are constructed of rubble with some brick. Freestone dressings add to its character. Originally, it consisted of only four west bays. These formed the north and south arcades of the nave.
Look closely at the nave arcades. Notice the south door. These are remnants from the 13th century. There’s even an inventory of church goods dating back to 1278. The east bay of the arcades was rebuilt in the 14th century. Admire the octagonal perpendicular font. It is a beautiful feature. The first pier on both sides was rebuilt in 1538. At that time the clear-story and aisle windows were added. The north and south aisles were rebuilt and widened.
The chancel that you see today was built in brick in 1726. It replaced an earlier one demolished in 1568. Inside, a fine mural from 1872 captures your attention. Frederick Leach depicted Christ in Glory. He is surrounded by angels and saints.
The tower. It was designed by Charles Humfrey. It is of cement render. Initially it had a spire. It was added in 1821 after a bequest by William Cole. Pevsner, however, described the tower as “somewhat silly”. The spire was removed in 1928.
In 1933 a chapel was created in the south aisle. It features screens in Anglo-Baroque style.
St Clement’s also holds some unique historical treasures. It has the oldest memorial to a Mayor of Cambridge. The tombstone of Eudo of Helpringham dates back to 1329. He died during his sixth term as mayor. The inscription gives an early version of the town’s name: “Caunbrege”. In the north aisle, a beam displays a carved inscription from around 1538. It indicates that Thomas Brakyn contributed to the church’s cost. He is buried in St Clement’s churchyard. The church registers themselves begin in 1560.
A notable figure in St Clement’s history was Canon Edmund Gough de Salis Wood. He served the church from 1865 to 1930. He was first a Curate and then Vicar. Canon Wood followed ritualistic worship at St Clement’s. He founded the Society for the Maintenance of the Faith. The chapel in the south aisle serves as a memorial to Canon Wood.
The church once housed a Greek Orthodox congregation. They were known as St Athanasios. They moved to their own church in 1968. Today St Clement’s is home to the Parish of St Ephraim the Syrian. This is an English-speaking Russian Orthodox parish.
In 2016, St Clement’s received a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. This helped to save one of Cambridge’s oldest churches. The Society of Cambridge Youths installed a new ring of bells in 2022.
St Clement’s stands as a living monument. It reflects Cambridge’s rich history and diverse religious traditions. Take a moment to appreciate the layers of history. They are embedded within these walls. Consider the countless lives. They have been touched by this sacred place. It is a place where the past and present intertwine.