A seventeenth-century monument in the College Chapel to Fellows, Sir John Finch and Sir Thomas Baines has been cleaned and conserved following a generous donation.
The two men met as students at Christ’s in the 1640s and became lifelong companions.
Chaplain, Revd Dr Helen Orchard said:
“Finch and Baines were inspirational men who distinguished themselves in medicine, diplomacy and music. They were devoted to each other and, over a 36 period, spent barely two months apart.
Finch described their relationship as a ‘beautiful and unbroken marriage of souls’, and the depth of their union is reflected in several aspects of the monument, which includes a carved representation of a cloth ‘love-knot’.
They occupy a significant place in the queer history of the College, indeed of Cambridge.”
A special evensong to mark Pride Month will take place on Sunday 7 June, celebrating the completion of the conservation. Former MP and Secretary of State Sir Ben Bradshaw will speak, and we will also welcome Lord Chris Smith, Chancellor of the University.
Baines died in Constantinople in 1681 and Finch a year later. They are buried together in the Chapel’s sanctuary. The memorial, commissioned from Joseph Cattens was installed in 1684, with a tribute from their former College tutor Henry More celebrating the lifelong friendship of the two men.
A team of conservators from the Fitzwilliam Museum undertook the cleaning and repairs. Sophie Rowe, Head of Conservation, said:
“It has been a real pleasure to work on this monument which was in much need of restorative care. Cleaning has revealed aspects of the workmanship and details which were previously hidden.”
During the exam period, all are welcome to join us for Choral Evensong on Sundays at 18:00, but the Chapel is closed to external visitors. It will re-open again at the end of June for a short period but will close for the summer for more general conservation and re-painting. From September 2026 it will be open to the public as usual between 09:00-12:00 daily.