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But the period between 1951 and 1955 was to prove a difficult one. The Vicar, Fr. Power, was a sick man and Fr. Chare had left to become vicar of St. Philip's Camberwell. Thanks to the Archdeacon of Portsmouth — Fr. E.J. K. Roberts (later to become Bishop of Ely) — we were able to come through a very strenuous time.

Fr. Power retired in July 1955. He died in 1956. The St. Francis Chapel was dedicated to his memory.

The Rev. L. C. G. Munro was inducted to the Living of Forton in December 1955.

The years from 1955 were to see many changes in the worship and ceremonial of the church. The Church of England through its Liturgical Commission revised the structure of the Eucharist presenting us with Series 1, 2 and 3 in due time.

The positioning of the celebrant at the Eucharist was one such change. The re-siting of the High Altar which before was separated from the congregation by a vast space allowed the laity to be able to take a greater part in the liturgy (service).

Probably the greatest change was that the Eucharist was now celebrated in the evening — totally unheard of in the past. We seem to have settled down to the changes.What of the Parish during these years?

The Parish, once a quiet village, had become part of a large town. In 1918 the Crossways became the first housing estate and reached as far as Lee Road. In 1930 it was extended to Avery Lane School. Southcroft Lane and the Grange Estate had been built on farm land. After 1950 the Admiralty built their own housing estate at the top of Cambridge Road.

More recently we have seen development around the church. Flats have been built on the old prison site and another Admiralty estate built in the Crossways. The old Royal Marine Barracks which, after the removal of the Marines to Eastney, became St. Vincent, has taken on a new lease of life as St. Vincent School.

The St. John's School which was founded in 1832 has now taken over larger premises in what was Grove Road School — leaving the old building to be taken over by a Tyre firm. The church is flanked on the other side by a Car Sales firm and a petrol station and Mr. Crossland still carries on his business in the midst.

While we offer our thanks to Almighty God for all past priests and benefactors and congregations of St. Johns we hope in our turn to leave our mark upon the Parish for future generations.

• FLOREAT FORTONA

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