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.
What's On at Great St Mary's
25 November to 4 December
Friday 25 November
9am Morning Prayer
Sunday 27 November: First Sunday of Advent
8am BCP Holy Communion (Revd Jonathan Collis)
10am Holy Communion and Baptism (Revd Shirley Holder, president; Canon Jutta Brueck, preacher) & Children's Church in Michaelhouse
4pm Advent Procession and Carols (Canon Jutta Brueck)
Monday 28 November
9am Morning Prayer
12.30-1pm Silent Prayer for Advent in Michaelhouse, followed by soup lunch
Tuesday 29 November
9am Morning Prayer
10.30am The Ark (Children's eucharist) in Michaelhouse chancel
7.30pm Advent group at 98 King Street
Wednesday 30 November
9am Morning Prayer
12.30pm Holy Communion
2-4pm Warm Winter Drop-in in Michaelhouse chancel
5.15pm Choral Evensong (Revd Shirley Holder)
Thursday 1 December
9am Morning Prayer
5pm Read Mark Learn: online
7.30pm HeartsEase (student ministry, Michaelhouse)
Friday 2nd December
9am Morning Prayer
Saturday 3rd December
9-11.30am Welcome Breakfast in Michaelhouse, for families with children 0-11 to create Christmas crafts over breakfast. RSVP to dafyddrj@gsm.cam.ac.uk
6.30pm Youth Pizza and Movie Night in Michaelhouse, free social event is for young people aged 11-16. Please can parents and guardians RSVP to dafyddrj@gsm.ac.uk if your child would like to attend.
Sunday 4th December: Second Sunday of Advent
8am BCP Holy Communion (Canon Jutta Brueck)
10am Holy Communion (Revd David Bagnall, president; Canon Jutta Brueck, preacher) & Children's Church in Michaelhouse
4pm Blue Christmas in Michaelhouse (Canon Jutta Brueck, Revd Shirley Holder)
7.30pm Academy of Great St Mary's Concert in Church
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 4.30pm — 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
Thought for the Week
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.