Since 1200, there has been a church on the site of Great St. Mary’s, which stands in the very heart of Cambridge. It was often called “The Market Church” or “St Mary’s on the Market”.   Despite experiencing riots, unrest and even being burnt to the ground, it has managed to survive and grow to be an extremely important part of education, culture and social reform.   To this day, it remains a fundamental place of worship and is an important meeting space for both the townspeople of Cambridge and the University.