St John Church Hall site (RGL 2016)

St John’s Church (Parish) Hall, Cambridge

History of former St John's Church Hall

This was the site of the former St John’s Church Hall for many years. In 2016 Janet Slade recalled the meetings of the Mothers Union there:

Sources: interview

---

1927 11 25
Title: St John’s Parish Hall opens
Summary: A new parish hall and Sunday school opened on the site of the former mission church. The red-brick building was intended principally for young people. The Women’s Union raised £130 for the porch and entrance, while Miss Gwatken and her Bible class funded the electric lighting.
Location: St John’s Parish Hall, Blinco Grove
People/organisations: St John’s Church; Women’s Union; Miss Gwatken and her Bible class
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge Cherryhinton Road Area Scrapbook 1897–1990, reference 27 11 25.

---

In the 1930s – 1950s, this was the HQ of the 28th Cambridge (St John’s) Scout troop.

---

This Hall was used as a lunch-time canteen for evacuee mothers and children, also a social club. (See Online WVS archives)

1940 12 04
Title: Wartime communal kitchen
Summary: A communal kitchen operated from Blinco Grove Parochial Hall during the Second World War. The scrapbook entry includes a photograph.
Location: Blinco Grove Parochial Hall
People/organisations: Blinco Grove Parochial Hall; Cambridge wartime communal-feeding service
Credit: Mike Petty, Cambridge Cherryhinton Road Area Scrapbook 1897–1990, reference 40 12 04b.