Great St Mary's
The University Church, Cambridge
Great St Mary's
The University Church, Cambridge
Great St Mary's is an open and inclusive Christian community in pursuit of Truth. Our foundations were laid in 1010, and we have been the University Church since 1209. We are a spiritual home for the University and the City of Cambridge, a Church of England parish in the Diocese of Ely, and a destination for visitors from around the world. We are also a Living Wage Employer, and a Silver-Award Eco Church.
We'd love to hear from you. And if you want to be the first to know what's happening, sign up for our weekly newsletter.
A house of prayer for all people
Great St Mary's offers opportunities for prayer and worship, from quiet spoken services to liturgies with traditional choral music and pipe organ. Whether you're just curious about Christianity, or ready to join us on our journey of faith, learn more about our life of prayer.
We've sevices in church and online daily, including Sunday services at 8am, 10am and 5pm, and weekdays at 9am.
And be sure to download our Term Card!
Worship this Week
Sunday 29 May: Seventh Sunday of Easter
8am Holy Communion
10am Choral Eucharist (in church & livestreaming) with Children's Church in Michaelhouse
5pm Choral Evensong
Monday– Friday
Tuesday 31 May
10.30am The Ark (Michaelhouse)
Wednesday 1 June
12.30pm Midweek Communion
Thursday 2 June
5pm Choral Evensong
Friday 3 June
11.30am Livestreaming of Jubilee service from St Paul's Cathedral
The church at the heart of Cambridge
Come visit Great St Mary's — to say a prayer in our medieval church, to climb to the top of our our world-famous Tower, browse our gift shop, and dine at our award-winning Michaelhouse Café. We'd love to see you.
We are open daily from 10am (noon on Sunday) to 6pm — click here for hours and further details.
The Tower will not open until 1pm on the Early Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May.
Sing and make music! (Psalm 57.7)
With five choirs, two pipe organs, thirteen bells, and an orchestra, the University Church is home to a wide range of music — as well as one of the largest performance spaces in Cambridge. Whether you want to audition for a choir or come to a concert, visit our music page to learn more.
A community in pursuit of Truth
Since 1209, Great St Mary's has been the University Church for the University of Cambridge. Learn more about our student ministries, University Sermons, small groups and bible studies:
Dine with Us
Michaelhouse Café and Chapel
Michaelhouse is home to our award-wining Michaelhouse Café, as well as art exhibitions, meeting rooms, and our medieval chapel. Come on by for a cup of coffee, a delicious meal, or a quiet space to meditate.
Most weeks the Café is open Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 12noon-4pm, with both indoor and outdoor dining. Hot food is served until 3pm. We're located on Trinity Street, near Gonville & Caius College
Follow Us
Online @greatstmarys
Whether it's our daily online worship, our weekly newsletter, pictures from the marketplace or more, you'll find plenty on our social media streams @GreatStMarys, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Be sure to follow us on social media, and help share the good news about what's going on at Great St Mary's, the University Church, Cambridge
Covid Update
From 27 January the additional restrictions introduced by Government as Plan B have been rescinded. However, the Church of England continues to recommend a degree of caution at a time when the incidence of the virus remains high in many places. This is certainly true in Cambridge.
You are encouraged to still wear a face covering when inside our church, to protect the vulnerable, and to be gracious and sensitive to others’ need for space. For more details, please click the button below.
From the Vicar
Safeguarding
Great St Mary's strives to be a welcoming and safe community for all, including children and vulnerable adults.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Dr Julie Crockford, whose contact details, along with further safeguarding information can be found here.