Obituary: Reverend Martin Leonard Stevens

REVEREND MARTIN LEONARD STEVENS
(OC 1945-1954)

Born 25 September 1935, died on January 18 2021, aged 85 years old

Martin loved his school. He always talked fondly about his time at Caterham. He spent some years as a day boy and some as a boarder. In the latter years, he always attended the Remembrance Day service having taken five of his grandsons along with him, one at time. He was proud to show them his school. Whilst there he excelled in long distance running alongside his academic studies.

After leaving Caterham, he went to Durham University where he achieved an MA in Theology. It was while at Durham that he went to Manchester on a mission week and met Ann his wife. They married in 1961 and moved to North London where Martin completed his studies at Oak Hill College before entering the ministry. He was ordained in 1962.

He served in several parishes over his lifetime as curate and vicar. At St Stephens Elswick, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Emmanuel Church, South Croydon, Christ Church, Felling, Gateshead, St Michaels Chester Square in London where he was part of the congregation and leadership team and his last parish St Mary’s, Kentisbeare in Devon.

He then retired to Warwick in 2001 where he spent 19 years and attended St Paul’s Church. Martin still conducted services and helped out in neighbouring churches until 2019.

His interests included walking, cycling, gardening and photography. We have as a family walked many miles mapped out by Martin, as well as climbing the peaks of the Lake District. He has thousands of photographs and slides and after family holidays Martin would give us all a slide show, most times with hilarity.

Martin was a lovely gentle man who loved the word of God and loved to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ – his Lord and Saviour. He had a real gift in this and touched many lives, along with his wife Ann. They helped many people in many different ways.

They led a simple life. He is survived by his wife Ann of 59 years, 4 children and 8 grandchildren. We shall all miss him.

Written by his daughter, Rachel

 

Martin attending the OCA over 60’s Christmas Lunch 2019