All Saints Church

All Saints’ Church stands on Jesus Lane in central Cambridge, a Gothic Revival building designed by George Frederick Bodley. Its 175-foot spire is one of the city’s tallest landmarks, built in brick and stone with decorative lucarne openings. The church replaced an earlier medieval structure demolished in 1865 after centuries of use. The old churchyard survives as All Saints’ Garden, where a memorial cross by Basil Champneys marks the site. Bodley’s pupil Herbert Mortimer Luckock later added the weather vane, donated by the university’s Vice-Chancellor. The interior is celebrated for its vivid stencilled patterns and religious symbolism, much designed by Bodley himself. The east window, by Edward Burne-Jones and Morris & Co, features twenty figures in pale glass, a deliberate contrast to darker Victorian styles. Other windows include works by Charles Eamer Kempe and Douglas Strachan, depicting historical figures like Edith Cavell. The rood screen hides a structural beam added to support the towering spire. David Parr, one of the artists, later decorated his own house in a matching style. Today the church hosts monthly recitals and art exhibitions, raising funds for restoration. Events range from ghost-story performances to textile displays, drawing loyal audiences. Volunteers maintain the exterior with the city council, ensuring the landmark remains visible from across Cambridge. The programme reflects a renewed purpose after decades of decline and near-demolition. Hiring the space for events keeps the building alive while repairs continue inside.