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St Martin's and St Thomas's, Cambridge |
In 1930 a new housing estate was started on the East side of the railway line. The Vicar of St Paul's, Mr Ainsley, had a vision for ministering to the people on this new estate, and he approached the Master and Fellows of Jesus College, who gave sufficient land on which to build 'Suez Road Hall'.
Money at this time was not easy to find; the Vicar prayed and wrote to friends in the parish, and in response Mrs E.M. Rowcroft offered sufficient funds for the work. The Hall was built in 1932, and an Evening Service, Sunday School and Women's Fellowship began.
The original plans allowed for a proper church building on the site; at the end of the Second World War in 1945 a fund was opened, to which the congregation made donations. Around 1950 a Nissen hut was purchased to enable the flourishing Sunday School to grow. An architect was engaged and plans were drawn up. In April 1956 St Martin's became a Conventional District, taking in parts of the parishes of St Paul's, St Andrew's Cherry Hinton and St John's.
The Rev. Peter Barrett was appointed as the first Vicar of the new parish, and took up his duties in July 1958. A new architect was appointed, and work began in April 1960. Parts of the new building were in use from May 1961, and it was consecrated by the Bishop of Ely on 7th October 1961.
Peter Barrett moved on in October 1968 and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Phenna from All Souls, Langham Place, in London. Under his leadership the church extended its ministry of the elderly and the less fortunate, both within the parish and outside.
An over 60's club started, and was followed in 1972 by a Day Centre for the elderly. Lunch was provided 6 days a week; people were collected first in cars and later in a purpose-built ambulance. An extension was added in 1972 at the East end of the Church to provide a lounge area for the Day Care Centre.
128 Suez Road was started as a home for adults with learning difficulties. Romsey Mill was set up with other churches as a youth and community centre.
In 1980 St Thomas's Hall, in Ancaster Way, was built to reach the area of the parish on the East side of Perne Road, and part of the St Martin's congregation was established there.
Peter Phenna was succeeded by Rev. Martyn Smith, who emphasised the healing work of the Holy Spirit.
When he left to head up the work of Vineyard Ministries in the Manchester area, he was followed in September 1989 by Rev. David Armstrong, formerly a Presbyterian minister in Northern Ireland, who did much pastoral visiting in the streets immediately surrounding the church building and strengthened the links between the church and the local community.
David Armstrong moved on in September 2000 to become Rector of the Carrigaline Union of parishes in the Diocese of Cork, and was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Leeke from September 2001.
In 2003 the management of 128 Suez Road was transferred to Granta Housing, but the church continues to provide pastoral support.
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