Cambridge Churches I: Great St. Mary's, St. Bene't, St. Botolph's, Little St. Mary's

Great St. Mary's Church, pictured here, is the University Church. It's located in the center of the city.

















In front of this church books were burned at the time of the Dissolution. Also, here is where the initial mile-marker is located for the London road, the first measurements of their kind in England. There are approximately 16 others along Trumpington Street going south out of Cambridge.











Here is the main altar.
















The church is lined with beautiful windows above the arches as well.










Deb loved these details on the pews. There were many mythical creatures as well as the fleur-de-lis.
















There was no 'Lady Chapel' per se, but this icon and small statue were beautiful.
















From the Tower of Great St. Mary's, the views of the city were wonderful. Here you can see Gonville and Caius College, Trinity College and St. John's Chapel.











The street on the right in this picture is King's Parade. The main gate to King's College is to the right, as is King's College Chapel.












Here's an aerial view of Deb's favorite place to shop: THE MARKET!









The view of King's College Chapel was terrific.













This is the Senate House. Student's take their exit examinations here. Then their scores are posted on large boards, for all to see, in front of the building.











This is St. Bene't Church (short for Benedict). The tower you see is the oldest structure in Cambridge, and dates from Saxon times.
















The interior is simple but beautiful. Here is the main altar.
















There were carvings like this one at the foot of the ceiling beams all along the nave.
















This picture beautifully shows the ancient Norman/Saxon arches.














There was no Lady Chapel since the church was so small. However, this Madonna and Child statue was there.

















Here's a sample of the stained glass windows.
















This iron sculpture was found in a prominent corner in the church.











This alcove wass part of the entryway to the church. The windows were lovely.









St. Botolph's Church, pictured here, sits directly across the street from Little St. Mary's (pictured below).













Here's the main altar. Again, it was a small church, and quite simple inside.















This is a sample of the beautiful stained glass windows.
















This picture, of the nave of St. Botolph's makes it look larger than it actually is. Here you can see Tom and Claire sitting in a pew. You are looking from the altar to the entrance.















This view is from the entrance of the church, looking up the nave to the altar.















The last church on this post is called Little St. Mary's Church. It is located next to Peterhouse College (the oldest of Cambridge's colleges) and was actually the chapel for Peterhouse 600-700 years ago.















With the summer greenery, it's hard to see the entire church. Here is a picture of the side.










In this photo, you are looking at the nave and the main altar.

















The Baptismal font was gorgeous, and had several crests lining it, including the seal of the city of Cambridge (in the middle here).
















In the early history of the church, this was part of the altar screen. The intricacy of the carvings was amazing! Now this screen lines the back wall of the church.












This stained glass window is in back of the altar (the Great East Window).














Here is one final view of the nave of Little St. Mary's.