Church of St Giles, Cambridge

Church of St Giles, Cambridge
Name	Church of St Giles
Dedication	Giles
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Anglo-Catholic
Parish	Cambridge St Giles with St Peter
Deanery	Cambridge
Archdeaconry	Cambridge
Diocese	Diocese of Ely
Province	Province of Canterbury
Rector	The Rev'd Dr Mark Bishop
Location	Castle Street, Cambridge
Country	England
Website	https://www.stgilescambridge.org/
Founded date	c. 1092
Heritage designation	Grade I listed building
Designated date	26 April 1950
Architect	George Frederick Bodley
Style	Gothic Revival architecture
Years built	1875
Materials	Ancaster stone

Church of St Giles, Cambridge. The Church of St Giles is a Grade I listed Anglican parish church situated on Castle Street in the historic city of Cambridge. Dedicated to Giles, the patron saint of outcasts, the present building is a masterwork of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture designed by the eminent architect George Frederick Bodley and constructed in 1875. It serves as the parish church for the Cambridge Castle area and is noted for its Anglo-Catholic tradition, exquisite interior decoration, and significant collection of Pre-Raphaelite stained glass.

History

The original medieval church on the site, situated near the gates of Cambridge Castle, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was likely founded around 1092. This earlier structure served the local community for centuries before falling into a state of disrepair. In 1875, the old church was entirely demolished to make way for the current building, a project championed by the influential Cambridge Camden Society and funded largely by the generosity of Fanny Margaret Barlow, a prominent local benefactor. The new church was consecrated by Harold Browne, the Bishop of Winchester, reflecting the high-profile nature of the project within the Diocese of Ely. Throughout the 20th century, the church maintained its liturgical identity, and in 1972, the parish was united with the nearby Church of St Peter, Cambridge.

Architecture

Designed by George Frederick Bodley, a leading figure of the Gothic Revival and a founder of the architecture firm Bodley and Garner, the church is constructed from Ancaster stone and is considered one of his finest works. The architectural style is a refined interpretation of Early English Gothic with some Decorated Gothic influences, characterized by its tall, slender proportions, lancet windows, and a distinctive saddleback tower. The interior is renowned for its harmonious spatial composition and rich decorative scheme, which includes a lofty nave, a chancel with a vaulted ceiling, and elaborate woodwork. The design profoundly influenced subsequent church architecture, including Bodley's later work on Washington National Cathedral.

Stained glass

The church possesses an exceptional collection of stained glass windows, many created by the renowned Charles Eamer Kempe studio, a leading firm in the Arts and Crafts Movement. These windows are celebrated for their intricate detail, vibrant colours, and sophisticated iconography, featuring numerous saints and biblical scenes. Other significant windows were designed by the firm of Alexander Gibbs and by Clayton and Bell, contributing to a coherent yet varied artistic programme. The glass is considered some of the finest Victorian stained glass in Cambridge and is a major draw for scholars of Pre-Raphaelite and symbolist art.

Bells

A ring of eight bells is housed in the church's tower, cast by the venerable Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1875. The bells were dedicated by Edward White Benson, then the Bishop of Truro and later Archbishop of Canterbury, who had strong connections to Cambridge as former Master of Magdalene College. The bells are regularly rung for services and by the local band of the Cambridge University Guild of Change Ringers, contributing to the city's soundscape. Their installation was part of Bodley's original, holistic design for the church.

Churchyard

The churchyard is a tranquil, walled green space containing a number of historic gravestones and monuments. It provides a rare area of open ground in the densely built-up Castle Hill area and offers views towards the nearby Shire Hall. The churchyard is maintained as a Site of Local Conservation Interest and serves as a quiet retreat for local residents and visitors. Several notable Cambridge citizens are interred here, including individuals associated with St John's College and Sidney Sussex College.

Present day

The Church of St Giles remains an active parish church under the care of the Rector and follows a tradition of Anglo-Catholic worship within the Church of England. It is part of the benefice of Cambridge St Giles with St Peter. The church hosts regular services, concerts, and community events, and its architectural and artistic significance makes it a site of interest for organisations like the Victorian Society. It continues to engage with the wider community, including the student population of the University of Cambridge, and is open to visitors seeking to appreciate its historical and aesthetic heritage.

Category:Church of England church buildings in Cambridge Category:Grade I listed churches in Cambridgeshire Category:George Frederick Bodley buildings Category:Anglo-Catholic church buildings in England