An outstanding Arts & Crafts interior

Designed by Bodley and executed by FR Leach

Chancel with Bodley frontal In the late 19th and early 20th centuries St Botolph's underwent significant interior renovations on a number of occasions, principally under the supervision of (and partly funded by) the Revd Dr WM Campion who was the rector from 1862 to 1892 (and subsequently president of Queens' College). The most significant of these was in 1872 when the chancel was rebuilt to designs by GF Bodley.

George Frederick Bodley was a key figure in the restoration and redecoration of medieval churches. One of his early commissions was All Saints Church in Cambridge and he had many other Cambridge commissions, including especially the decoration of the hall and chapel at Queens' College. The design of the rebuilt chancel and the decorative scheme, is typical of his work, with ornate decorated tracery and elaborate and detailed painting decoration.

The roof was painted by Frederick Leach, whose company FR Leach & Sons, worked with Bodley on a number of projects associated with Queens' College. The walls of the chancel would also have been decoratively painted but have now been painted over in white.

The paintings either side of the East window are by Godfrey Gray, dated 1885. The North side depicts St John and the two Marys at Christ's tomb, and the South side depicts the empty tomb.

Drawn in part from the surveys conducted by Tobit Curteis and Sally Woodcock in 2006. Contact Us for more information.

Hello and welcome to St Botolph's. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
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Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

Welcome to St Botolph's

The following information is specifically for those planning a first visit, so that you know beforehand what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

Our services are at St Botolph's church in the centre of Cambridge (details below). On Sundays these always start at 11.00am. We suggest planning to arrive 10-15 minutes early, especially if driving as parking spaces are in short supply in central Cambridge, and to find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by a sides person who will help you find somewhere to sit and will give you a hymn book and a prayer book, or a service sheet.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the service and we hope very much that you will stay for a chat. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Plan your journey:

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Accessibility: There is wheelchair access. Please let the sides person know on your arrival and they will help you. Please note access to the toilet requires a step.

The service

Our Sunday service begins at 11am and follows the Book of Common Prayer. On the first, second, fourth and fifth Sundays we have a Sung Eucharist. On the third Sunday we have Choral Mattins with a said service of Holy Communion at 8am. There will be organ music before the service and the bell will ring for about five minutes before the service starts. All services will have a sermon from the Rector or a visiting preacher. These usually last for around 10-15 minutes. The choir plays a part in all services, leading hymns and sung elements of the service. The service ends with an organ voluntary. Many people sit and listen to this for five minutes or so. Others will start to congregate around the tea and coffee table for a chat.

What about children?

We welcome children of all ages and no one should be embarrassed if young ones cry or older ones wander around. We do not have a Sunday School so children remain in the service with their parents. There is a carpeted area in the side chapel which is available for parents and small children who want to step away from the main church for a while.

Getting in touch

Helping with services and the life of the church

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make our services run smoothly, please let us know. We are always looking for help with anything from flowers, to refreshments, to opening the church for visitors during the week and a hundred and one other tasks that keep the life of the community.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


The Rev'd Jonathan Collis, Rector		Sarah Eastwood, Churchwarden

We hope that you will feel at home at St Botolph's.

Best Wishes,
All at St Botolph's