One summers day in 1940, during the second world war, a mother and her young daughter were out in the front garden of their home in Rodmell Avenue when two ladies, passing by, engaged them in conversation. Before parting they mentioned that they were thinking of starting a Sunday School in their house and wondered if the seven year old child would like to join. The answer was ‘yes’. The house was ‘Adenor’ (65) Rodmell Avenue, now The Old Sunday School, and the two ladies were Miss Angeloni and Miss Fielder. The Sunday School Grew to thirteen with children coming from the families of servicemen stationed at Roedean, then called HMS Vernon, living at The Mount. There were also ‘Evacuees’ from Portsmouth living in Banning Vale who also attended. The Sunday School was then transferred to ‘Schlitz’ at 12 Bevendean Avenue and an adult Services was started where all denominations were invited. The only churches in the area were St Lawrence at Telescombe Village and St Margaret's at Rottingdean Village. The Bishop of Chichester felt the Anglican Church could not commit themselves to a new church building (1940). The Methodists and the Baptists also declined. The Presbyterian Church of England assumed responsibility and bought a plot of land in Ashurst Avenue for £290-19s-0d. It was later sold and the present site was bought for £300. The first service was held at ‘Schlanta’ on the 20th November 1941. Services were later held at the Lido when more space was needed. On the 3rd June 1947, the Presbytery recognised the Saltdean Church, “that the cause at Saltdean be raised to the status a Preaching Station” The final service was held at the Lido on the 20th February 1949 with 56 Communicants, and on the 25th February 1949, St. Martins moved into a new Church (now the Church Hall), and waited until 4th April 1950 before a full time minister arrived. The Church as it is today, opened in October 1956. In October 1972 St. Martins became part of the United Reformed Church (URC) when the Presbyterian Church joined with the Congregational Church. Another interesting feature in 1954 was the congregation namely Anglicans, Baptists, Church of Scotland, Dutch Reformed, Congregationalists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholic. June 1995 saw the formation of the Brighton Area Group of United Reformed Churches which included Brighthelm, Clermont, Lewes Road, Portslade,. Hounsom Memorial, St. Martins and Telscombe Cliffs.
Paraphrased from the book ’The story of St. Martins Church, Saltdean’