Facilities and features
Accessibility
We have 2 loos, one with grab rails either side of the toilet.
There is a drop down changing table in the larger of our two loos.
There are cycle racks in front of church and around the left side by the Church Centre entrance
Parking freely available on the streets near the church, and spaces in the layby outside the church are available for those with limited mobility.
We are striving to be as accessible as possible for those with autism. There is a great deal of awareness and experience within the congregation. The service follows a similar pattern each week, and everything is printed in the service booklet apart from hymns in the hymn book.
Although it is not designated 'blue badge' parking, the layby in front of the church (the old bus stop) is informally reserved for those with limited mobility. From the layby there is easy wheelchair access along the paths to the church entrance.
There is level access to the church and all its facilities.
There is an induction loop. The words of the service are mostly printed within the service booklet. The only 'extemporaneous' speech is in the sermon, the intercessions and the notices.
We have large print hymnbooks and service sheets available - just ask.
Dogs are very welcome to this church.
We aim to meet the needs of people with dementia for as long as possible. The service is traditional and much is repeated each Sunday. We welcome and try to support the members of our congregation who suffer with this, and their families.
You may need to ask, but we stock gluten free alternatives to our refreshments.
Our Building
St Andrew's is Grade One listed 13th Century church with one of the finest 13th Century Chancels in this region, if not the country.
We have received the Eco Church bronze awards recognising our commitment to environmental advocacy work, to purchasing and recycling as best we can, to the teaching and practicing of food justice through our Food Hub and Community Fridge work (which reduces food waste) and our use of renewable electricity. We have pioneered an innovative monthly Forest Church since 2019.
Music and Worship
Cherry Hinton Tower is very active, with open practices on tuesday evenings from 7pm. There is ringing before the main 10am Sunday service, and many other services. We have a newly restored set of handbells and teaching is available on these or on the 6 tower bells.
We host two concert series -- one run by the Friends of St Andrew's with concerts appealing more to the older generation on evenings throughout the year, and a family friendly series on Sunday afternoons, run by the Director of Music. See our website for details of all of these. St Andrew's has an excellent acoustic and is a popular venue for those who very much appreciate good music coming to this part of the Cambridge 'fringe'.
A fine organ, available to serious organists who wish to practice.
From 18th Sept 2022 there will be a 9am BCP Communion in the Chancel (45 mins) each first and third Sunday of the month.
We are resurrecting the choir post COVID and forming a 'Celebration Choir' to sing 6 times at major festivals through the 22-23 academic year. Please get in touch with our Director of Music, Lucy Bunce: [email protected] if you are interested in joining us. We also have [plenty of opportunity for instrumentalists to participate in worship. Again contact Lucy Bunce and she will warmly welcome you.
On First and Third Sundays of each month, we host a Cafe Style Church at 10 for 10.30 which features worship bands in various forms. Do get in touch with Lucy Bunce our Director of Music: [email protected] if you'd like to join in!
Groups, Courses and Activities
We will be starting up a 'Youth Cafe' in the church after school on Wednesdays by late Sept 22. All Secondary age youth welcome to attend. ''Second Sundaes' our church youth group meets at the Vicarage each second sunday of the month for... sundaes. And youth enjoy a 'Brunch Church' of their own on the fourth Sunday of each month during the 10am service. Please get in touch with the vicar: [email protected] for further details.
There are currently two ongoing Bible Study groups which welcome new members and various 'pop up' courses which we run through the year. Contact the vicar for current offerings and do join in!
We host a 'Community Cafe' during our Food Hub every Wednesday afternoon from 2-3.30. All are welcome to come along for free coffee and refreshments. And good chat!
Courses are run each Lent, to encourage growth in faith and discipleship with two ongoing bible study groups and occasional 'pop up' courses on various topics.
There are various exercise groups that meet in our Centre, details of which can be found on the website under Church Centre.
St Andrews joins with others in our community to put on a huge holiday club for primary school children the first week of the school holidays in July.
There are various events aimed at the over 60's throughout the year, including fellowship groups, meals and pilgrimage trips.
'Chirpy Cherries' -- a music based group for tots and their carers meets every Friday in term time in the Church Centre, 9:30-11am. Please join us! We do not charge for this, though donations are always welcome!
We have a street pastor in our congregation who is happy to encourage this vocation in others.
Help for Visitors
There is wifi throughout the church which you can access -- just ask for the password.
Available to school and other groups who book in.
We set the back of the church up as a 'Community Cafe' from 2-3.30 each Wednesday afternoon during which our Food Hub gives away about a ton of free food. All are welcome to come along for a cuppa and cake even if you don't need the food!
The church open most of Wednesday from 9am - 5pm, on Friday mornings, and often at other times as well. Visitors most welcome.
Other Features
St Andrew's is part of the Cambridge Sustainable Food network which gathers surplus food and donations to distribute out to those in need of food support. The 'Food Hub' is open on Wednesdays from 2-4. You do not need any referral to access this service. We offer fresh fruit and veg, bread and some chilled or frozen items alongside cans and packets and some toiletries. Donations of non perishable foods or funds are welcome anytime!
We have a fantastic group of volunteers-- if you're interested in joining us ring the office and someone will get back to you!
We celebrate 'Back to Church' Sunday on the first sunday of Sept which is also 'Back to School' Sunday -- with a blessing of backpacks or other work-related items. In 2022 the service will be on 4th Sept at 10am. All are most welcome as we regroup after the summer...
Our Church Centre (with kitchen and toilets) is available to hire for both groups and individuals. Rates are generally £18/hr with special rates for parties, and regular community groups.