St Martin, Suez Road

History of St Martin

In 1932 St Paul’s church built the Suez Road Mission Hall for members of their congregation living in the area. The hall was erected “through the gracious gift of Mrs E M Rowcroft on a site generously given by the Master and Fellows of Jesus College for the furtherance of God’s work in the parish of St Paul’s Cambridge.” The mission Hall was set in the midst of fields and allotments before a road was built. There was just a muddy track called the Bumps.

St Martin was built 1960-1 by Paterson & Macaulay. According to Pevsner, ‘the structure is of laminated timber, creating an exceedingly steep triangular section which affects all the rest.’ His original comment ‘a terrible building, in spite of goodwill all round‘ is considered by modern editors ‘a little harsh.’

Further information can be found on the church website.

The Rev Peter Phenna left in 1986: