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 regular 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 late afternoon, and weekdays at 9am.
Coming Up at Great St Mary's
18 to 27 March
Everybody is welcome at all our groups and services. For further information, especially about the groups, please email the GSM Office at office@gsm.cam.ac.uk
Saturday 18 March
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9am Men’s communion and breakfast (in Michaelhouse)
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7.30pm Academy of GSM concert in GSM
Sunday 19 March: Mothering Sunday
NB Chariots of Fire Road Race (postponed from September 2022), traffic restrictions
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8am BCP Holy Communion
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10am Choral Eucharist – all age service
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11.30am Choral Mattins
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4pm Choral Evensong
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6-7.30pm Ignite Youth Group (in Michaelhouse)
Monday 20 March
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9am Morning Prayer
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12.30pm Christian Meditation/Silent Prayer (in Michaelhouse), followed by soup lunch
Tuesday 21 March
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9am Morning Prayer
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10.30am The Ark (in Michaelhouse)
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5pm Home Study Group (online) please contact Revd Andrew Day or Brian Corby
Wednesday 22 March
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9am Morning Prayer
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12.30pm Holy Communion (in GSM)
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1pm Lent talk and soup lunch (in Michaelhouse): “Music and Faith” – Benedict Todd
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6-7pm Youth Group (in Michaelhouse)
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9pm Choral Compline
Thursday 23 March
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9am Morning Prayer
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10-11.30am Chat-Play-Sing (in Michaelhouse)
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5-6pm Read Mark Learn: Romans 8.6-11
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5.15pm Choral Evensong (in GSM)
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7.30-9pm Home Study Group (in person and online), please contact Revd Shirley Holder
Friday 24 March
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9am Morning Prayer
Saturday 25 March
NB British Summer Time – clocks go forward
Sunday 26 March
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8am BCP Holy Communion
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10am Choral Eucharist & Children’s Church
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5pm Festival Choral Evensong: keynote preacher Dr Hannah Critchlow “Joined Up Thinking”
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6-7.30pm Ignite Youth Group (in Michaelhouse)
Monday 27 March
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9am Morning Prayer
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12.30pm Christian Meditation/Silent Prayer (in Michaelhouse), followed by soup lunch
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 4.00pm — click here for hours and further details.
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.
The café is open seven days a week, with both indoor and outdoor dining. We're located on Trinity Street, near Gonville & Caius College. Hours are posted michaelhousecafe.com.
We gratefully acknowledge the grant we have received from the Amey Community Fund (part of the Landfill Communities Fund) which has contributed towards the cost of renovation of the chancel floor.
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