ANGLICAN CHURCH IN SPREYDON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28010, 3 July 1956, Page 6

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN SPREYDON

PRESENT BUILDING TOO SMALL

Because St. Martin’s Church in Spreydon has become too small to accommodate the growing Anglican parish of this expanding area, worshippers quite frequently have to be turned away from Sunday services. They do not always come back. Last Sunday evening a congregation of 165 was squeezed in to the roughcast church, which was built to seat 100. When the pews were filled, chairs were put in the aisles for adults and children had to sit on the floor. Even that was not enough space and the last to be admitted had to sit in the vestry. Many worshippers went home again when they were told the church was absolutely full.

With the opportunity within his grasp of possibly doubling the size of his parish, the vicar (the Rev. Roger Thompson) sees instead his congregation being reduced. But it is an enthusiastic congregation and members have already raised £2300 in less than 12 months for a new church. Mr Thompson says he has grounds for believing that parishioners will carry through the building project which will cost between £12.000 and £14.000.

Plans have already been drawn for the new St. Martin’s Church, which will be built of Chatteris Bay stone to accommodate 250.

The foundation stone will probably be laid towards the end of next year and it is hoped to open the church in 1959 at the time of the fiftieth jubilee of St. Martin’s Church, Spreydon. The present church was built nearly 48 years ago to last 30 years. It now rocks in a high wind. “Sometimes in a strong nor-wester I fear the roof will be blown off,” Mr Thompson said yesterday. The old church will be demolished when the new one is built.

"We are buying two sections next to the present church and on one of these, parallel to Lincoln road, the new church will be built,” he said. An ambitious church expansion scheme, covering a period of about 10 to 15 years, provides for the building of a new vicarage and Sunday School on this property.