Hear ye hear ye This is Great St Mary’s a Cambridge landmark. For over 800 years this impressive church has stood tall. It’s more than just a place of worship. It’s a living testament to Cambridge’s rich history.
Originally called St Mary-by-the-market Great St Mary’s played a pivotal role in the early days of Cambridge University. Scholars from Oxford arrived in 1209. They found this church ideal for lectures and ceremonies. The church was barely finished then. King John gave the rectory to Thomas de Chimeleye in 1205.
Tragedy struck in 1290. A fire destroyed the 13th-century structure. It had to be completely rebuilt. The rebuilding process began in 1478. It was largely completed by 1519. Funding came primarily from Richard III and Henry VII. Even then the tower wasn’t finished until 1608. Imagine the bells before the tower hung on a wooden contraption in the churchyard.
St Mary’s served as a meeting place for debates and meetings throughout the medieval period. This role continued until 1730. The new Senate House across the street took over.
The Society of Cambridge Youths was formed in 1724. This bell-ringing society is the oldest in Britain. It’s the second oldest in the world. Their earliest known pattern is the ‘Cambridge Quarters’. This pattern later became the ‘Westminster Chimes’ of Big Ben.
Look closely. Above the west door is a gilded clock. Its hands are shaped like sun’s rays. This is The Cambridge University Clock. On the tower is a disc. It’s the datum point for measuring distances from Cambridge.
Inside large galleries dominate. They were added in 1735 to accommodate large audiences. James Gibbs the famous architect designed them. They overlook a unique moveable pulpit. Notice the hearse cloth at the east end of the north aisle. It was used at Henry VII’s funeral. Admire the beautifully carved 17th-century font at the west end. The oak roof dates back to 1505. Henry VII donated it though he’d taken the wood from the Abbot of Westminster without permission.
The church houses two organs. The University Organ bought from St James’s Church in Piccadilly London in 1698 is a unique feature. It’s a testament to the sometimes uneasy relationship between the town and the university.
Great St Mary’s has witnessed centuries of history. It continues to be a vital part of Cambridge life a place of worship and a symbol of the city’s enduring spirit.