Bridge Street, Cambridge, England
Church of the Holy Sepulchre (The Round Church)
One of only four surviving medieval round churches in England, built around 1130 by the Knights Templar in Cambridge and modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Round Church in Cambridge is a small, sturdy Norman building that stops pedestrians in their tracks. Built around 1130, it was constructed by the Fraternity of the Holy Sepulchre — likely connected to returning Crusaders — and modeled on the rotunda of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The circular nave is supported by eight thick Norman pillars with carved capitals, and the conical roof and rounded apse give it a feel unlike any typical English parish church. It is one of only four medieval round churches still standing in England. The building is now managed by a Christian heritage trust and hosts exhibitions on Christian history in England, though occasional services are held. The stonework has been restored carefully, and the interior retains its austere, barrel-vaulted atmosphere.
Diocese: Diocese of Ely (historically Catholic)
Style: Norman Romanesque (Round Church)
What to See
The Norman pillars and their carved capitals are the highlights — robust, unpolished stonework that has stood for nearly 900 years. The circular floor plan is immediately striking. The building is small enough to take in at a glance, but the details in the capitals and arches reward a closer look.
Pilgrim Notes
The Round Church is open to visitors and hosts exhibitions. It is not a regular parish church, so check service times. Cambridge is reachable by train from London in about an hour. The church is on Bridge Street near the colleges and is easy to include in a walking tour of the city.