Little St Mary's Church

Little St Mary's Church. It is a Church of England parish church located in central Cambridge, England. The church has a long history, originally serving as the chapel for Peterhouse and later becoming a separate parish church. Known for its Anglo-Catholic tradition and rich musical heritage, it is an active place of worship and a notable architectural landmark within the University of Cambridge milieu.

History

The site's ecclesiastical history began in the 12th century with the establishment of St Peter without Trumpington Gate, a church granted to the newly founded Augustinian Barnwell Priory. In 1280, Hugh de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, refounded the church as the chapel for his new college, Peterhouse, which was the first college of the University of Cambridge. This chapel, dedicated to Saint Peter, served the college for over two centuries. Following the completion of the new Peterhouse Chapel (now St Mary the Less) in 1632, the old building was reconsecrated and renamed Little St Mary's, becoming a parish church for the surrounding area. The churchyard was expanded in the 18th century, and significant Victorian restoration was undertaken by the architect George Gilbert Scott.

Architecture and fittings

The church is a fine example of English Gothic architecture, primarily constructed from local clunch and Barnack stone. The oldest parts, including the lower stages of the tower, date from the 14th century and exhibit Decorated Gothic style. The nave and chancel were largely rebuilt in the 15th century in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Notable interior features include a magnificent rood screen installed in 1893, a richly carved pulpit from the same period, and a historic organ originally built by the renowned firm Henry Willis & Sons. The east window contains significant stained glass from the studios of Charles Eamer Kempe, depicting scenes from the Life of Christ.

Churchyard

The churchyard, once much larger, is a tranquil green space in the city centre. It contains several historic chest tombs and headstones dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Among those buried here is the famous astronomer and mathematician Roger Cotes, a protégé of Sir Isaac Newton and the first Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy. The churchyard was closed to new burials in the 1850s and is now maintained as a garden of remembrance. It provides a quiet retreat adjacent to the University of Cambridge's Pembroke College and Peterhouse gardens.

Notable clergy and associations

The church has been served by many distinguished clergy. In the 19th century, it became a centre of the Cambridge Movement (the ecclesiastical counterpart to the Oxford Movement), which revived Anglo-Catholic ritual and theology. A notable incumbent was John Henry Overton, a historian of the English Reformation. The church has strong historical links with Peterhouse and other Cambridge colleges, including Pembroke College and Corpus Christi College. It is also associated with the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, who was a frequent worshipper, and the theologian Michael Ramsey, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury.

Present day

Little St Mary's remains an active parish church under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Ely. It is renowned for its solemn and musical Sarum Rite liturgy, maintaining a strong Anglo-Catholic identity. The church supports various community outreach programs and maintains a close relationship with the University of Cambridge, hosting events and services for the academic community. It is a Grade I listed building and is regularly open to visitors, who come to appreciate its architecture, history, and peaceful atmosphere in the heart of Cambridge.

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