Faith in Cambridge
Cambridge is home to a diverse range of faith societies, offering opportunities for worship, community, and discussion. Whether you’re looking to connect with others who share your beliefs, explore different traditions, or take part in interfaith activities, there are many student-led groups that provide support and a welcoming space. Below is a list of faith societies in Cambridge, along with links to their activities and contact details.
College Prayer Room
The Magdalene Prayer Room in First Court (F4) is open to all College members, staff, and visitors. It offers a quiet space for personal prayer, meditation, and reflection for people of all faiths. Washing facilities are available nearby, along with simple materials to aid prayer. If you have suggestions for improvements or would like to organise a group event for your faith, please contact the Dean of Chapel.
Baha’i
Cambridge University Bahá'í Society
The Society runs weekly evening discussions, and is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about Bahá'í teachings and practice.
Buddhism
Cambridge Buddhist Centre
Meditation classes, events, yoga, mindfulness, Dharma Night classes, and community – located on Newmarket Road, close to the Grafton Shopping Centre.
www.cambridgebuddhistcentre.com
Cambridge University Buddhist Society
This is a student-led society offering weekly discussion evenings, meditation, social events and more.
Islam
ISoc – Cambridge University Islamic Society
ISoc serves the social, spiritual and academic needs of Muslim students and fosters community through a vibrant and inclusive society based on mutual beliefs and strengthened by friendship. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re Muslim, interested in Islam or simply looking for a friendly face!
Cambridge Central Mosque
The Central Mosque is located at the far end of Mill Road, only about two miles from the city centre. It is a new building with a large, diverse worshipping community. There is also a garden and a café.
www.cambridgecentralmosque.org
www.cambridgecentralmosque.org/prayer-times
Judaism
Jewish Chaplaincy
Jewish Chaplaincy in Cambridge is offered by University Jewish Chaplaincy, whose current Cambridge/East Anglia chaplain is Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski
Cambridge University Jewish Society
The Society is open to all Jewish students, regardless of affiliation, background, or level of religious observance. They offer Friday night dinners, socials, speaker events, and discussion groups. The synagogue is at 3 Thompson’s Lane.
Beth Shalom Synagogue
Beth Shalom is a Reform Synagogue, located on Aukland Road, which is just off Maid’s Causeway, close to the Grafton shopping centre. It has a choir, and drama and dance groups, as well as regular Shabbat worship and more. Their website also has a useful page on other Jewish organisations and activities in Cambridge.
www.beth-shalom.org.uk/jewish-cambridge
Chabad of Cambridge
Rabbi Dr Reuven & Rochel Leigh founded Chabad of Cambridge in 2003, whose programmes include the Cambridge University Chabad Jewish Society, The Cambridge Hebrew School, Ganeinu Childcare Service and The Cambridge Mikvah.
Hindu
Cambridge University Hindu Cultural Society
The Hindu Cultural Society is one of the largest faith societies in the University, and provides a community for all students to practise Hinduism and lean more about the Hindu religion. The Society fosters community and encourages its members to cultivate and explore their Hindu identity through learning and celebratory events, and providing opportunities for social and charitable action.
Sikh
Cambridge University Sikh Society
The Cambridge University Sikh Society (CU Sikh Soc) is a small but budding society, bringing together Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike to provide an insight into the Sikh religion, and sharing vibrant culture, traditions and values to enhance the society’s members knowledge of key aspects of the Sikh religion, through talks, exhibitions and other events including Rehraas, Gurpurab and Vaisakhi dinner.
www.en-gb.facebook.com/cusikhsoc
Cambridge Gurdwara
Unitarian
A small, open and inclusive community located just beyond the bus station, opposite Christ’s Pieces.
Humanist
Cambridge Humanist Group
CHG runs discussions and social events focused on promoting skepticism, humanism, and responsibility for personal actions.
Christianity
College Chapels and Chaplains
Most Colleges have a Chaplain or equivalent. Most of the Chapels are affiliated with the Church of England (though Robinson is ecumenical, and St Edmund’s is Roman Catholic). Magdalene College Chapel offers a regular pattern of worship during term time, which is often centred around the choral tradition, expect at morning services. There are opportunities to get involved with Chapel life, whether through the choir, as a Chapel warden, reading at services, joining in with discussion groups and social events, and more. People go to their College Chapel services for all sorts of reasons – you don’t have to be religious. And Chapels are open all day and available for people to wander in for peace and quiet.
Student-led Christian Organisations
Cambridge Intercollegiate Christian Union (CICCU)
CICCU is an evangelical Christian student society, with reps in each College who convene the activities and encourage people to participate in university-wide events and programme.
Fisher House, the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy
Fisher House is a large community offering worship, fellowship, discussion groups, and opportunities for social action. It’s located close to the market place, behind Lion’s Yard / the Grand Arcade, on the corner by the Corn Exchange.
Sr Ann Swailes, OP: acs92@cam.ac.uk
Fr Paul Keane (priest-chaplain): pjk1001@cam.ac.uk
Just Love
A student-led movement focusing on social and environmental justice, which runs events, lunch and discussion, prayer guides, and opportunities to engage in transformative social justice projects locally and beyond.
www.justlovecambridge.wordpress.com
www.facebook.com/JustLoveCambridge
Student Christian Movement / Heartsease
SCM is an inclusive, nondenominational Christian community of students and young people, meeting weekly to share worship, fellowship and Christian witness. Diversity of thought, identity and spirituality are encouraged, and the aim is to provide sanctuary and spiritual welcome to all. SCM is explicitly inclusive and affirming of LGBTQ+ people. Heartsease is SCM’s weekly meeting (at Michaelhouse) for reflection, discussion, and worship.
www.cambridgescm.wordpress.com
Church of England
There are very many churches in or near Cambridge city centre, here arranged alphabetically, but beginning with the University Church. Please ask the Chaplain if you would like advice.
Great St Mary’s, the University Church
Great St Mary’s (also known as GSM) offers a variety of worship and fellowship, including a significant choral tradition, and events and services six days a week in the church and at nearby Michaelhouse (half church, half café). Great St Mary’s is church opposite the Senate House. Michaelhouse is just down Trinity Street, on the right. Great St Mary’s is a member of the Inclusive Church.
Little St Mary’s (known as LSM) - www.lsm.org.uk
Holy Trinity (also known as HT) - www.htcambridge.org.uk
St Andrew the Great (usually known as StAG) - www.stag.org
St Andrew’s Chesterton https://standrews-chesterton.org/
St Barnabas - www.stbs.org.uk
St Bene’t’s - www.stbenetschurch.org
St Botolph’s - www.stbotolphcam.org
St Clement’s - www.stclementscambridge.co.uk
St Edward, King and Martyr - www.stedwardscambridge.co.uk
St Giles’ - www.churchatcastle.org
St Mark’s - www.stmarksnewnham.org
St Paul’s - www.stpaulscambridge.org.uk
Roman Catholic
Fisher House Catholic Chaplaincy - www.fisherhouse.org.uk
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs (known as OLEM) - www.olem.org.uk
St Laurence’s Roman Catholic Church - www.saintlaurence.org.uk
Orthodox
The Church of St Ephraim at St Clement’s Church, Bridge Street - www.saintephraim.org.uk/
St Athanasios (Greek Orthodox) is at 154 Cherry Hinton Road - www.stathanasios.uk/
St John the Evangelist (Romanian Orthodox) at St Giles’s Church, Castle Street - www.en.orthodoxcamro.co.uk
Baptist
St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church - www.stasbaptist.org
Eden Baptist Church - www.eden-cambridge.org
Zion Baptist Church www.zionbc.org.uk
Methodist
Wesley Church - www.wesleycam.org.uk/welcome.htm
Castle Street Methodist Church - www.castlestreet.org.uk
United Reformed Church
Downing Place - hwww.hdowningplaceurc.org
Independent
Kingsgate Community Church - www.kingsgate.church/cambridge/
C3 - www.thec3.uk/
Lutheran
German Lutheran Church www.cambridge.german-church.org/
Resurrection Lutheran Church - www.lutheran.co.uk/directory/cambridge
Presbyterian
Cambridge Presbyterian Church - www.cambridgepres.org.uk
Salvation Army
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/cambridge-citadel
Quaker
Jesus Lane Quaker Meeting - www.cambridgeshire-quakers.org.uk/meetings/jesus-lane
Hartington Grove Quaker Meeting - www.cambridgeshire-quakers.org.uk/meetings/hartington-grove