Michaelhouse Centre
A MINISTRY OF GREAT ST MARY’S

St Michael’s church is a rare example of parish church and college chapel. In 1326 Hervey de Stanton, Chancellor to King Edward II, built it in place of an earlier church for his new college Michaelhouse. The chancel, where the College worshipped (joined later by Members of Gonville Hall), is longer than the nave. Hervey de Stanton’s intimate chapel is reached from the chancel. In 1537 St Michael’s was put under an interdict for holding the remains of reformer Paul Fagius. Michaelhouse was dissolved in 1546, replaced by Trinity College, the probable source of the 15th-century chancel stalls.

The church was restored by Sir Gilbert Scott after a fire in 1849: his son George decorated the chancel and the painted reredos, incorporating carved figure work by Michel Abeloos of Louvain. The 1872 east window has glass by Hardman of Birmingham.
In 1908 St Michael’s was united with Great St Mary’s. A 1960s interior conversion was replaced by a major re-ordering in 2002, allowing the church to re-open as host to the Michaelhouse Centre. The Centre aims to provide a spiritual oasis, a place for encounter and for the arts; with a lively café.
It continues as a consecrated church with regular weekday and Sunday services.

The place was photographed that day Click for a larger image