St Philip’s Church Cambridge, circa 1900

St Philip’s Church, Mill Road, Cambridge

History of St Philip's Mill Road

St Philip’s was built by E Loftus Brock in 1902. Extensive alterations were carried out 2011-12 by Archangel.

Notes on the history of the church can be found on their website:

http://www.stphilipschurch.org.uk/church-history/

Cambridge St Philip’s War Memorial

The church houses a Roll of Honour for those that died in the First World War.

Then and Now

 

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27 October 1898
An article reviewing the rapid growth of Romsey Town explained that the replacement of the old level crossing by the Great Eastern Railway’s Mill Road Bridge had transformed development in the district. As housing expanded, St Philip’s Church, originally established as a chapel-of-ease, became the focus of the growing community, and it was argued that the time had come for Romsey Town to become a separate ecclesiastical parish with St Philip’s as its parish church. Source: Mike Petty, Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990.

12 June 1902
St Philip’s Church was formally consecrated by the Bishop. The article recalled that the foundation stone had been laid on 13 June 1889 by Professor Babington and that the present church had replaced a small wooden chapel erected by an enthusiastic churchman. It noted that the church served the rapidly expanding population of Romsey Town and anticipated that the district would soon become an independent ecclesiastical parish. Source: Mike Petty, Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990.

26 April 1912
Concern was expressed about the lack of recreational space for children in Romsey Town. Residents complained that children were being prosecuted for playing in Ross Street and St Philip’s Road, and urged the purchase of land between the Council School and Mill Road as a permanent recreation ground for the district served by St Philip’s Church. Source: Mike Petty, Cambridge Mill Road Scrapbook 1897–1990.

28 March 1917
St Philip’s Church hosted the wedding of Private J. J. Caffrey VC, one of Britain’s most celebrated First World War heroes, to Florence Avey of Great Eastern Street. The report recounted Caffrey’s extraordinary bravery as a stretcher-bearer in rescuing wounded comrades under heavy fire, for which he had received both the Victoria Cross and the Russian Cross of St George. The ceremony attracted a large congregation and became one of the church’s most notable wartime events.