The first mention of the church is a record of King John presenting Thomas de Chimeleye to the rectory in 1205.
The first church on the site of the current one was built in 1205, but this was mostly destroyed by fire 9 July 1290 and then rebuilt.
At the time, this fire was attributed to the Jewish population of the city, with the result that the synagogue was closed.
Prior to 1352, it was known as The Church of St Mary the Virgin, but since that year has become known by its modern name.
During its early years, the church was the property of the crown, but on 15 July 1342, the land was passed to King's Hall.
Ownership then passed to Trinity College, where it has rested since.

The orders for the consecration of the new church were sent out on 17 May 1346, but were not enacted until 15 March 1351.

In the Middle Ages it became an official gathering place for meetings and debates for Cambridge University, but this ceased in 1730 when the University's Senate House was built across the street.

The present building was constructed between 1478 and 1519, with the tower finished later, in 1608.
The cost of construction was covered largely by Richard III and Henry VII.

The church was restored by James Essex in 1766.
In 1850–51 a restoration was carried out by George Gilbert Scott, followed by further work by Anthony Salvin in 1857.
The south porch was rebuilt in 1888.
There has been some more restoration work during the 20th century.

Various leading philosophers of the English Reformation preached there, notably Erasmus.
Martin Bucer, who influenced Thomas Cranmer's writing of the Book of Common Prayer, was buried there.
Under Queen Mary I, Bucer's corpse was burnt in the marketplace, but under Elizabeth I, the dust from the place of burning was replaced in the church and now lie under a brass floor plate in the south chancel.
The first mention of the church is a record of King John presenting Thomas de Chimeleye to the rectory in 1205. The first church on the site of the current one was built in 1205, but this was mostly destroyed by fire 9 July 1290 and then rebuilt. At the time, this fire was attributed to the Jewish population of the city, with the result that the synagogue was closed. Prior to 1352, it was known as The Church of St Mary the Virgin, but since that year has become known by its modern name. During its early years, the church was the property of the crown, but on 15 July 1342, the land was passed to King's Hall. Ownership then passed to Trinity College, where it has rested since.
The orders for the consecration of the new church were sent out on 17 May 1346, but were not enacted until 15 March 1351.
In the Middle Ages it became an official gathering place for meetings and debates for Cambridge University, but this ceased in 1730 when the University's Senate House was built across the street.
The present building was constructed between 1478 and 1519, with the tower finished later, in 1608. The cost of construction was covered largely by Richard III and Henry VII.
The church was restored by James Essex in 1766. In 1850–51 a restoration was carried out by George Gilbert Scott, followed by further work by Anthony Salvin in 1857. The south porch was rebuilt in 1888. There has been some more restoration work during the 20th century.
Various leading philosophers of the English Reformation preached there, notably Erasmus. Martin Bucer, who influenced Thomas Cranmer's writing of the Book of Common Prayer, was buried there. Under Queen Mary I, Bucer's corpse was burnt in the marketplace, but under Elizabeth I, the dust from the place of burning was replaced in the church and now lie under a brass floor plate in the south chancel.
Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge