Round Church History
Round Church History Timeline
0335
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
The Church of the Resurrection – better known as the Holy Sepulchre – is built in Jerusalem and consecrated on 13 September, 335. Standing atop the reputed burial site of Jesus, with a large rotunda around the empty tomb (or ‘sepulchre’), the church became a prominent Christian landmark drawing increasing numbers of pilgrims over the centuries.
1099
Crusaders Capture Jerusalem
The First Crusade is called in 1095, partly to ensure continued access by pilgrims to the Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre fall to the crusaders in July 1099.
1100
Round Churches in England
In the wake of the first crusade, the Holy Sepulchre gains cultural and religious significance, as an architectural symbol of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Churches with a round shape or dedicated to the Holy Sepulchre appear across western Europe, often built by returning crusaders or pilgrims. The first example of this in England is built in c.1100 in Northampton, possibly influenced by the Earl of Northampton, Simon de Senlis, a crusader.
1114
The Round Church, Cambridge
Modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Round Church in Cambridge is founded between 1114 and 1131 by ‘the fraternity of the Holy Sepulchre’ and ‘in honour of God and the holy Sepulchre’. No other record of this mysterious fraternity exists, and the Round Church’s exact purpose remains unknown. The fraternity may have included returning pilgrims or crusaders – at least one inhabitant of Cambridge had been on the First Crusade – but there is no clear proof, only strong circumstantial evidence. Although the Knights Templar are often associated with churches of this nature, there is no evidence of any link with the Round Church in Cambridge, which seems to have been founded before the Templars became active in England, and there is no evidence to suggest that the Templars ever laid claim to the Cambridge church.
1400
Expansion of Round Church
During the 15th century the Round Church is expanded eastward. The most notable addition is a large polygonal tower erected over the round nave. The wooden angels which can still be seen on the ceiling of the church date from this expansion.
1644
Iconoclasm during Civil War
On 3 January, 1644 the notorious iconoclast William Dowsing and his troops destroy fourteen ‘superstitious pictures’ in the Round Church. However, the carved wooden angels on the ceiling survive the ordeal intact.
1841
Collapse of Tower
In August 1841, the 15th-century tower collapses under its own weight, causing significant damage to the Round Church. A public appeal is raised to restore the church. Renovations are undertaken by the Camden Society (later re-founded as the Ecclesiological Society) and overseen by the prominent architect Anthony Salvin.
1843
Re-opening of Round Church
In October 1843, the Round Church is re-opened by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, whose crests can still be seen on the tiles in the chancel. The Queen gives £25 ‘as a mark of the satisfaction with which she had witnessed the beauty of the sacred edifice’.
1845
Restoration Controversy
The renovation, now complete, is marked by controversy. The source of contention is a stone altar installed by the Camden Society that many equate to an overt endorsement of Catholicism. The vicar of the Round Church, Richard Faulkner, takes the society to court, and in a headline-grabbing decision on 31 January, 1845, the Court of Arches orders the altar to be removed and replaced by a wooden table. The Camden Society dissolves soon thereafter.
1942
World War II Bomb Damage
On 28 July, 1942, a bombing raid hits Bridge Street and Sidney Street, destroying ten buildings. One bomb hits the Union Society building behind the Round Church, which blows out the east window. The current east window depicting Christ’s resurrection is installed four years later in 1946.
1994
Move to St Andrew the Great
By 1994, the congregation has outgrown the Round Church and relocates to St Andrew the Great, a more spacious church in the centre of Cambridge where the vibrant church community worships to this day. For service times, be sure to visit the church’s website, www.stag.org.
2001
Christian Heritage
Since 2001, the Round Church has been home to Christian Heritage, a project of The Foundations Trust, which exists to think about the relationship between faith and culture and to welcome visitors to explore how the Christian faith has shaped Cambridge and the West.
Further Resources
To explore the Round Church’s origins in more depth, have a listen to the lecture below from Revd Dr Robert Evans, our Historian-in-residence (2018-2019).
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