A relic from 1200 whispers tales. St Andrew the Great stands before you. Its stones bear witness to centuries of Cambridge life. The original church? Possibly mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. A simple wooden structure it was replaced by a stone building in the early 13th century. This building was given to the Diocese of Ely sometime between 1225 and 1228.
Imagine St Andrew the Great in the 16th century. A hub of Reformation preaching. William Perkins a theologian and fellow of Christ’s College served as lecturer. He held this position until his death in 1602. Paul Baynes and Ralph Cudworth followed in his footsteps.
By 1650 the medieval church crumbled. A merger with Holy Trinity was proposed. Instead Christopher Rose a two-time Mayor of Cambridge financed a significant rebuilding project. This was completed in the 1660s.
Fast forward to the 1800s. St Andrew the Great’s congregation boomed. The church needed more space. Architect Ambrose Poynter rebuilt the church entirely between 1842 and 1843. He designed it in a 15th-century East Anglian style. A nave of five bays with side aisles and a four-stage west tower emerged. Later additions included the south porch and vestries.
Yet amidst all the rebuilding some history endures. Early 12th-century double capitals remain in the heating chamber. Also several wall memorials survived the reconstruction. The most famous memorial commemorates Captain James Cook and his family. It includes Captain Cook his wife Elizabeth and their six children. Elizabeth died in 1835 at age 93. She outlived all her children. She is buried in the church alongside two sons James and Hugh. A thoughtful bequest in her will ensures upkeep of the memorial and support for the needy.
The late 20th century brought change. Declining population led to redundancy in 1984. The congregation of Holy Sepulchre Church sought a new home. They renovated St Andrew the Great. The Round Church moved to this location in 1994. The parish is now called Holy Sepulchre with All Saints. The Round Church remains in occasional use. It is leased to Christian Heritage.
Today St Andrew the Great thrives. Sunday services continue. The emphasis is on Bible teaching. The church maintains its conservative evangelical identity within the Church of England. It’s a vibrant place of worship. It welcomes diverse people. From Cambridge residents to students and visitors. The stories of this church are a testament to faith and resilience. Stories woven into the very fabric of St Andrew the Great.