Church of St Mary the Less, Medieval church building in Trumpington Street, Cambridge, England
The Church of St Mary the Less is a medieval parish church on Trumpington Street in Cambridge, built in the Gothic style with a square tower and large windows. Inside, the space is made up of stone walls, wooden pews, and two pipe organs that are still used during services.
The church was founded in 1205 and rebuilt after a fire in the late 13th century, taking on the shape it largely has today. It was given the name St Mary the Less in 1352 to set it apart from the larger Great St Mary's Church nearby.
The church stands directly across from Peterhouse, the oldest college of the University of Cambridge, and has long served its community. Many services are attended by students and members of the university, giving the building a role that goes beyond a typical parish church.
The church sits on Trumpington Street and is easy to reach on foot from the city centre. It is generally open to visitors outside of service times, so you can walk in and look around at your own pace.
Martin Bucer, a Protestant theologian, was buried here in the 16th century, but during the reign of Mary I his remains were dug up and publicly burned. A few years later, under Elizabeth I, an official ceremony was held in the church to restore his reputation.
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