The Church of St Mary-The-Great

THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY-THE-GREAT is the church of the University, and also a parish church. From a remote period, before the end of the 13th century, the church has been used by the University for religious services; and for several centuries the principal proceedings of that body took place therein, including lectures and even dramatic performances.

One of the most ancient of the recorded acts of the University is a grace for the furtherance of the peace of the University passed, in 1275, at a congregation of masters, regents, and non-regents, held on St Witburgh's day in the church of the Blessed Mary. Queen Elizabeth on one occasion attended the disputations held in the church.

There was a church here from a very early period; and in 1205 King John granted it to Thomas de Ghimelye. It suffered from fire, perhaps during the conflagration that took place in Cambridge in 1174, but certainly during a fire in 1290, and the chancel was consecrated after rebuilding in 1351.

Being old and decayed it was determined to replace the church by a building more worthy of the University. The first stone of the present edifice was laid in 1478.

The tower, 131 feet high, is a fine, massive, well-proportioned structure, the best view of which is obtained from the interior of the court of King's College, by the hall. It was not completed till 1608.

There is a stone slab in the vestry in memory of John Warren, the builder of the tower, who died in 1609. The west doorway was made in 1851 from Scott's design. The circular boss-stone in the buttress on the right of the doorway is the centre from which the miles on the roads radiating from Cambridge were counted.