The Church on Suttons Farm

A Brief History of The Church on Suttons Farm

How it all began

Although there were a large number of new houses, the only other amenity built on the estate was Scotts School, and later the Tesco Store (and its accompanying parade of shops in Airfield Way.

It became the dream of some members of St George's Church, Kenilworth Gardens, that a service of Christian worship be provided regularly somewhere in the Suttons Farm area, to help provide a spiritual focus for the new communities living there. Under the charismatic leadership of the Rev Albert Watson, a team of lay people prayerfully began making plans and setting things in motion.

Albert was already well-known and loved by the children and staff of Scotts School, and with the support and agreement of the then Head Teacher, Mrs. D. B. Smith and Governors, the School Hall was hired for use of one hour each Sunday morning.

On Sunday 29th September 1990, the first ever service of The Church on Suttons Farm (CSF), as it became known, was held.

The Church on Suttons Farm was born.

In the early days, services were lead mainly by lay people, with clergy providing input on one Sunday a month.

All through its history, there have been some outstanding contributions from lay members who all work together to enable the services to continue.

After Albert Watson left, and after a lot of through, the church became independent of St George's and clergy involved grew. Rev. Philip Goodey became minister in chart of Suttons Farm as well as St Georges, and with members of his family, brought a strong musical influence.

The rent of the school hall, originally £10 per Sunday, rose to its current rate of £60 (October 2001). A sum that continues to exercise our minds and our pockets.

Our first ever communion service was held at Suttons Farm on 29th March 1992, and generally followed on the last Sunday in the month thereafter.

On 24th August 1992 saw the first ever baptism service being held at Suttons Farm.

In July 1993, the Scotts School Head Teacher, Mrs. D. B. Smith retired. Her replacement, Mrs Petula Allen was appointed from January 1994.

Moving on

As a consequence there was now a greater feeling of confidence in the church's future and that the Parish was putting a renewed determination to make the church know to those living on the estates.

The church was very encouraged by the number of children regularly attending services, and felt that the Sunday School, and 'child friendly' services would be paramount to its success. They had one advantage over other churches in that most of the children attending Suttons Farm Church were already very familiar with the Scotts School Building, and therefore very comfortable and confident in its environment.

May 1999 and beyond

The Church on Suttons farm owes much to the goodwill of the Scotts School, particularly of the Head Teacher Mrs Petula Allen and teaching staff. Viv Howard works in the school as a Classroom Assistant and is able to liase between the two parties.

Barbara Baker is now a School Governor and is also involved in School Assemblies. It is hoped that the bonds between the school and church will grown and deepen in the future.

Our presence on the Estate is now much more widely known and the church is encouraged by the numbers of people who make an effort to attend, particular at services such as Harvest, Anniversary and Christmas time.

Not having a building of its own is no longer seen as a particular disadvantage. In many respects the church is relieved of the worries of maintaining and keeping such a building secure etc. Instead the membership can concentrate on coming together as a family, hopefully devoting more of their energies towards each other and so growing in fellowship and understanding.

The 'church' is undoubtedly the body of the people, not the building.

Bringing Christianity to the Community