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.
Renewal of Electoral Roll: below are buttons linking to the form to apply to be on the Electoral Roll and an information letter. Completed forms should be returned to the GSM church office, either by hand (or post) or by email (office@gsm.cam.ac.uk). Please return before 30th April 2025
We have vacancies! Click here to learn more
Chorister Voice Trials
These will be held on Saturday 29th March (afternoon) and Saturday 19th April (afternoon).
To sign up click HERE
Coming Up at Great St Mary's
Friday 21st to Sunday 6th April
Friday 21st March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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10.30-12.30 Book sale
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12:30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Saturday 22nd March
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7.30pm Academy of Great St Mary's concert
Sunday 23rd March
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8:00am BCP Holy Communion
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10:00am Choral Eucharist and Children's Church
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11.30am Choral Mattins
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4:00pm Cambridge Festival Choral Evensong - preacher Charlie Bell
Monday 24th March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12:30pm Christian Meditation in Michaelhouse
Tuesday 25th March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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10:30am The Ark in Michaelhouse
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12.30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Wednesday 26th March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12:30pm Holy Communion
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1:00pm Lent Talk : Alison Kennedy Being Good Citizens
Thursday 27th March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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10:00am Chat-Play-Sing in Michaelhouse
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12.30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Friday 28th March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12.30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Saturday 29th March
NB clocks change - one hour forward for British Summer time
Sunday 30th March Mothering Sunday
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8:00am BCP Holy Communion
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10:00am Choral Eucharist (all together)
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5:00pm Choral Evensong
Monday 31st March
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12:30pm Christian Meditation in Michaelhouse
Tuesday 1st April
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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10:30am The Ark in Michaelhouse
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12:30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Wednesday 2nd April
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12:30pm Holy Communion
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1:00pm Lent Talk in Michaelhouse: Ruby Quantson Davis: Becoming an active peacemaker
- stories from the field
Thursday 3rd April
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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10:00am Chat-Play-Sing in Michaelhouse
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12:30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Friday 4th April
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9:00am Morning Prayer
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12:30pm Lent Prayer with ten minutes silence
Sunday 6th April
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8:00am BCP Holy Communion
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10:00am Choral Eucharist and Children's Church
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5:00pm Evening Prayer
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6.00pm Vigil
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 daily, including Sunday services at 8am, 10am and late afternoon, and weekdays at 9am.
Come visit Great St Mary's — to say a prayer in our medieval church, to climb to the top of 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 10.00am to 5.30pm (last tower ticket at 5.00pm), 12 noon to 3.30pm on Sunday (last tower ticket at 3.15pm) — 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.
Policies
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.
Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us at Great St Mary’s and we are committed to safeguarding the privacy of your information. Please check our website for the up to date version of our Privacy Notice, which explains how we obtain and use your personal information. By clicking “I accept your Privacy Notice” you confirm that you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice.