A brief history of the Church on Suttons Farm
The southerly end of the Parish underwent considerable development during the 1960’s and 1970’s resulting in the Airfield, Suttons Farm and Gloster Green housing estates. 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 a dream of some members of St George’s Church in Kenilworth Gardens that a service of Christian worship be provided regularly somewhere in the Suttons Farm area. Under the leadership of Revd Albert Watson a team of lay people prayerfully began making plans and setting things in motion. Albert, who already had a good relationship with Scotts School, gained the support and agreement of the Head Teacher and Governors to hire the school hall for use on Sunday mornings.
On Sunday 29th September 1990, the first ever service of The Church on Suttons Farm (CSF) was held.
Services were lead each week by lay members, with clergy leading a service once a month. After Albert Watson left the parish Suttons Farm became independent of St George’s and Revd Philip Goodey became minister in charge of Suttons Farm as well as St George’s, with his family giving great support to both churches. When Philip Goodey left the parish the Revd Barbara Baker (although semi-retired) became minister in charge of Suttons Farm and for a few years became a Governor at Scotts School, strengthening the ties between the school and church. Barbara has given great guidance and leadership over the years. Viv Howard, our Church Secretary and classroom assistant at Scotts School, has also been a great support to the church both liaising between the two parties and also a familiar figure for those children who attend both the school and church.
2008
The Church on Suttons Farm has been very encouraged by the number of children regularly attending services, and considers that the Sunday Club and ‘child friendly’ services are among its strengths. 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, particularly at services such as our Harvest/Anniversary and Christmas services.
The Church on Suttons Farm may not have its own building but instead can concentrate on coming together as a family, hopefully devoting more of their energies towards each other and so grow in fellowship and understanding.
