Corpus Christi - A Seat for All within the Body of Christ

The Courtyard of Corpus Christi College

I’ve mentioned St. Bene’t’s Church many times in my reflections, largely because I’ve taken to attending services there on Sunday mornings. It’s a wonderful small parish church filled with kindly, welcoming people. What I haven’t noted, however, is its connection to Corpus Christi College – one of the older colleges that comprise Cambridge University.

Corpus Christi College, unlike many of the others, was founded in 1352 by Cambridge townspeople. Perhaps, in modern terms, it might be considered a “community college.” Ironically, although it has one of the smallest enrollments of the many colleges in Cambridge, it has been one of the more academically successful, and is one of the wealthiest Cambridge colleges in terms of its fixed assets.

The college's formal name is the “College of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the University of Cambridge,” usually abbreviated simply to "Corpus Christi College." From the early 16th century, it was also known as Benet or St Benet's College, from the nearby St Bene't's Church, associated with the founding Guild of Corpus Christi. Both the college and the church stand on Benet Street and until the late 16th century, St Bene't's Church served as the college chapel (although St Botolph's Church, right next door, was also used for some services).

The college has many notable alumni among which are: Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe (rival to Shakespeare), Samuel Wesley, poet and writer (and father of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of Methodism), Christopher Isherwood, novelist, Hugh Bonneville, actor (of Downton Abbey fame) to name only a few among many government officials, internationally recognized research scientists, mathematicians, musical composers, and world explorers.

One of the landmarks associated with “Corpus” (the abbreviated name for the college) is the “Corpus Clock.” The clock, unveiled by Cambridge physicist Steven Hawking in 2008 features a grotesque giant grasshopper perched atop the clock face that keeps the clock moving and is known as a “chronophage” or “time eater.” The message of the clock is the passing of time – so one should live every moment to the fullest. Unfortunately, I cannot show you this monstrosity of a timepiece because a hammer-wielding vandal attempted to damage it but succeeded only in damaging its protective glass casement. However, the clock has been temporarily removed and is undergoing examination and repair before being restored to its place of prominence at the corner of Benet Street and King’s Parade.

The choir and chancel of St. Botolph's.
Notice the rood screen at the front of the choir.

I mentioned St. Botolph's Church above, which lies at the south end of the college. This church dates from the fifteenth century and was built near what was then known as the Trumpington Gate to the City of Cambridge. St. Botolph is known as a patron of travelers, so it was a fitting dedication. Along with St. Bene't's and Corpus Christi College, St. Botolph is known for its rather close adherence to the more catholic traditions of Anglicanism as is evident in the architecture, art and furnishings of the church. Interestingly, it is one of the only churches in the region where the "rood screen" survived the purges of Reformation (see the photo). The rood screen (a.k.a. choir screen or chancel screen) is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron. The rood screen is usually surmounted by a "rood loft" carrying the Great Rood, a sculptural representation of the Crucifixion. You will see a more modern version of this in the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, PA. The notion of the rood screen is the architectural basis for the masonry division between the choir and the nave in our own parish church (St. Luke's, Lebanon, PA).

So, from the contemporary worship we experience here at Ridley Hall, with television screens and electronic music, to the ancient traditions of medieval Anglo-catholicism, the full spectrum of Anglican thought is not only on display but can be experience here. It is the treasure of our tradition, that there is a seat for everyone at our table.