Hours during Lockdown
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church, office, Tower, shop, and Michaelhouse are currently closed. Great St Mary's is open during lunchtime, Tuesdays—Saturdays, 11am–1pm, only for private prayer. There are no public worship services at this time, although online worship continues.
From Wednesday 2 December, the church, shop and tower will be open as normal, 10am–4pm, Tuesday–Saturday, and on Sundays from noon to 4pm. The office remains closed and accessible by appointment only.
Public worship will resume on Sunday 6 December, with services in church at 8am (BCP Communion), 10.30am (Eucharist), and 4pm (Evensong). Online worship will continue as normal.
Last updated 24/11/20
The Tower
The Best View in Cambridge
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church, office, Tower, shop, and Michaelhouse are currently closed.
From Wednesday 2 December, the church, shop and tower will be open as normal, 10am–4pm, Tuesday–Saturday, and on Sundays from noon to 4pm. Tickets to climb the tower are £6, and will be for sale at the West entrance. Reservations are not required.
Last updated 24/11/20
The Gift Shop
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the church, office, Tower, shop, and Michaelhouse are currently closed.
From Wednesday 2 December, the church, shop and tower will be open as normal, 10am–4pm, Tuesday–Saturday, and on Sundays from noon to 4pm.
Last updated 24/11/20
Education and Heritage
Our Education and Heritage programme brings the University Church's Christian history and heritage alive for a wide audience. Visitors, learning groups and Cambridge residents can discover Great St Mary’s fascinating past which has been at the heart of local and University life for over 800 years.
Find out more about our programme, and our history, at www.gsm.cam.ac.uk/heritage/
What to Expect
CURRENT OPENING TIMES
During the current lockdown, the church will be open 11am to 1pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays, but only for private prayer.
From Wednesday 2 December, the church, shop and tower will be open as normal, 10am–4pm, Tuesday–Saturday, and on Sundays from noon to 4pm. The office remains closed and accessible by appointment only.
Public worship will resume on Sunday 6 December, with services in church at 8am (BCP Communion), 10.30am (Eucharist), and 4pm (Evensong). Online worship will continue as normal.
Last updated 24/11/20
PARKING
The closest parking area in the city centre is the Grand Arcade Car Park. If possible, please walk, cycle, or use public transport when coming into the city centre.
ENTRY AND EXIT
Those coming to pray are asked to enter via the South doors on St Mary’s Passage (opposite Ryder & Amies and The Senate Bar). Those coming to climb the tower are asked to use the West doors.
COVID-19 SAFETY
We ask anyone who has symptoms associated with Covid-19 or has been around someone who has symptoms associated with Covid-19 not to visit the church until fully recovered and to have observed the appropriate government-mandeted isolation period.
MASKS
The UK government requires wearing of a face covering (mask) when inside a church or any public place of worship. Full details may be found at
TEST & TRACE
We participate in the NHS "Test & Trace" programme, and you will be invited to check in online when you arrive.
ONE-WAY SYSTEM
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a marked one-way system around the church.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Only some pews will be open, and we ask that you keep a space of 2m apart from other visitors when moving around the church at all times. We are unable to accommodate groups larger than 6, in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.
CLERGY
A member of the clergy will be often available on site during opening hours. Should you wish to speak to the clergy member, please let one of the stewards know and they will provide further instruction.
TOILETS
We apologise but due to current advice around the potential risk of transmission of Covid-19, the church toilets will be closed for safety reasons and will not be accessible.
DONATIONS
The economic impact of this crisis will be long-lasting for everyone including Great St Mary's. We are doing everything we can to open the church as safely as possible and continue to support our community. We are a self-funded organisation and any donations will be gratefully received. We would recommend that you use the contactless donation station near the entrance.
Click here to make an online donation today.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Our staff and volunteer welfare are extremely important to us and we are working to detailed policies and guidelines across the church floor and offices to ensure safety for social distance and providing extra support. Staff are working from home where possible and working patterns have been adjusted to ensure the team remains as protected as possible.
Stay up to Date
You will always find the latest updates and news on the church website and social media channels. You can also sign-up to receive our weekly eMag by email at this link.
For those of you planning to visit us, thank you in advance for helping us to uphold the measures in place and we look forward to once again welcoming you. God be with you and enjoy this sacred space.
Supporting Great St Mary's
Our team is working hard to reopen for prayer and contemplation and to provide pastoral, spiritual and practical support to our communities.We are a self-funded organisation and do not receive government funding. Great St Mary's relies on public donations to continue our life and work. To shield itself as much as possible from the negative financial impact of the crisis, the church team is finding solutions to help protect it in the long-term, such as working with various existing and emergency grant-making bodies. We would be grateful for any donation either during your visit or online via our donation page. Thank you.