St
Botolph was the patron saint of travellers, so it is
appropriate the church stood at the site of the Trumpington
Gate, one of two gateways into the medieval town of
Cambridge. Prayers could be said in the church before
journeys began and thanks given after a safe return.
There has been a church here since before the Norman
Conquest. This church dates from the C14th and the tall
square west tower and the south chapel were added in the
C15th. The pinnacles at the corners are the four symbols of
the evangelists. It would have been an imposing entrance to
the city. The sundial was probably an important time keeper
for the population. The church was restored in the C19 and
the chancel is a wonderful example of the work of CF Bodley.
Entry is through the west door into the base of teh tower
which has the Royal coat of Arms of William IV, given to the
church by John Smith, University Printer, and a
benefactor’s board.
Inside it is a very elegant church with whitewashed walls
and arcades of octagonal pillars supporting pointed arches.
The ceiling is painted in shades of brown and ochre.
At the back of the nave is the C17th font with its lovely
Laudian canopy. Although repainted many times, this has now
been carefully restored to its original colours.
The south chapel of the Holy Trinity is used for weekday
services and is screened off from the rest of the church by
a modern wood and glass screen. It is the memorial chapel
for those who died in the First World War. Boards list the
names of members of the University Press who lost their
lives as well as college servants. There are images of St
George and St Michael in the east window.
On the back wall is the splendid memorial to Thomas
Plainfere, a noted preacher and Professor of Divinity at
Lady Margaret’s College.
The south aisle is now empty apart from an old strong box
beneath the C19th stained glass window which has
scenes of the Annunciation, Nativity and Baptism of Christ.
The Rood Screen is C15th and is the only Medieval Rood
Screen to survive in Cambridge. It was restored in the C19th
when the Rood cross was replaced.
The base panels were repainted as part of the C19th
restoration with the the Annunciation and Angel Gabriel and
the Virgin Mary.
The chancel was completely rebuilt in the C19th and is a
wonderful example of the Victorian Gothic work of CF Bodley
with a glorious painted ceiling. Above the east window are
images of angels with musical instruments of censors. The
organ pipes are on the north wall.
The painting of the Crucifixion was purchased in Antwerp in
1818 by John Smith, the University Printer and was given to
the church. Bodley designed the reredos to hold the picture.
On either side are pictures showing the disciples and the
two Marys at the empty tomb. The east window continues the
theme with the Ascension of Christ.
This is a very attractive church and the noise of Cambridge
traffic is lost as soon as you enter. The only sound is the
ticking of the clock. The church is open daily but there is
no parking for it. The post code is CB2 1RG and the
grid reference is TL 448581.
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