My father’s association with Ham Evangelical Free Church – by Mildred Howes

My father was sent to St Paul’s School but was rather a lonely boy, taking long walks on his own. When he was in his teens he walked along the river to Petersham meadows and sat in a field, reading his Bible. He was spotted by the local farmer, from Secrett’s farm, and after some conversation was asked if he would like to come to the small church in Lock Road (then known as Ham Evangelical Free Church) and help in the Sunday School.

The church had recently been set up by various local people and representatives from local churches. They were recruiting teachers for the Sunday School, which was soon attended by over 100 children. My father agreed and after a while became interested in one of the young ladies who was also recruited from another church to help in the Sunday School. They were married in 1933 and I was born in 1935.

Now things have come ‘full circle’ as I am very involved with the church in Lock Road (now known as Ham Christian Centre) and live in a house that my father bought when they were built in Broughton Avenue in the mid 30s.