Our Team 

Fr Martyn has worked as a priest in the Isle of Dogs, Finsbury Park and now Aldersbrook and Wanstead, but grew up in leafy Berkshire before studying Politics at Nottingham University and subsequently Theology at Durham.  He is still ‘just about’ running and enjoys playing the guitar.  Married to Jen, their two children are currently at Wanstead High School.

For Richard, the call to ordained ministry came towards the end of a varied career in accountancy and he joined our ministry team on ordination in 2006. With an interest in small groups as a supplement to formal worship, he is the driving force behind a number of adult nurture groups in our parish. In addition to his church duties, Richard also serves on the board of a substantial benevolent association.

Trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Chris worked as an educator and theatre practitioner before being ordained. He studied for his PhD in theology and performance at Glasgow University. Chris joins us from St George’s in Kendal. Married to Caroline, they have three adult children.

Olive was ordained Deacon in September 2020 but has been actively involved in the parish for a number of years. She became a Licensed Reader in 2009 after theological training at St Mellitus College, becoming Licensed Lay Minister in 2015. With a spiritual focus on the mission of the church, her other interests include playing the organ, travel and attending arts events.

As a lifelong worshipper in Wanstead Parish, Jan has worked as a general nurse, managed a large city dental practice and has been employed in a local school. She also ran the 1st Wanstead Guide unit, attached to Christ Church for over 25 years. She is now the first point of contact for our Baptism, Thanksgiving and Wedding families.

Lorraine left her career in banking to bring up her children, starting to attend Christ Church when her first son was a few months old. She has been involved in numerous aspects of the church ever since, from running Nursery Church to arranging flowers for weddings. Lorraine helped to set up and run the parish office.

Lauren has been an active member of the Christ Church congregation for over twenty years. For the past twelve years she has worked at Wanstead Church School as a classroom assistant.  As our Hall Bookings Manager she is responsible for arranging and overseeing all group and individual bookings as well as maintaining the smooth running of the halls.

Siân has been involved in Parish life for 26 years, having lived in Wanstead since birth. She sings in the Choir, rings the bells at Christ Church, and is a licensed Lay Leader. You may also find her underground giving tours of the Crypt underneath St Mary’s! Siân runs Parish communications and social media channels.

James has lived in Wanstead for 28 years. One of the lay leaders licensed to lead services at St Mary’s, James has also served as Chair of the Friends and Parish Treasurer. He co-manages the “Tin in a Bin” initiative supporting Redbridge Foodbank and is a member of the Corner House Project, which supports a number of projects supporting local families and homeless/rough sleepers.

With four daughters ranging from teens to mid twenties, Barbara has volunteered with many of the children and young people’s groups in the parish. In her spare time, outside her role as a Director of Clinical Development at GlaxoSmithKline, Barbara is vice chair of the Miscarriage Association charity.

An active member of the parish for over a quarter of a century, Ralph has served on several parish committees. Having previously been churchwarden at Christ Church, Ralph began attending St Mary’s on completing his term.

Ralph’s professional life was as a photographer, working mainly with advertising agencies.

Natalie’s career began as a class teacher at a primary school in Essex. She went on to be appointed Assistant Head and then Acting Head of a school with serious weaknesses before becoming the Deputy Headteacher of an outstanding school in Havering. Prior to coming to Wanstead Natalie was the Headteacher of a primary school in Essex, which Ofsted rated “Good” under her leadership.

Deborah has retired from a varied career in education, teaching at all levels from pre-school to 16+ and adults. Her experience also includes the provision of quality assurance for special educational and disability needs.

Pen has lived in Wanstead for 36 years and her three daughters all attended Wanstead Church School. Since retiring from her senior management post at the NHS, she has been more involved in local activities including six years as Church Warden. Pen still sings in the parish choir, while outside the parish she volunteers as a welcomer at the Westfield Rest and Faith Space.

Martin worked for 33 years in an insurance company in the City until he retired in 2014. Married to Sandra, they have two children. He is a keen musician and plays the organ at both St Mary’s and Christ Church, where he sings in the choir. You may notice a four legged companion by his side; this will be the latest Guide Dog puppy that he is training.

A longstanding member of our community, Margaret has a background in social work and has sat on both the Mental Health Tribunal and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals. She currently chairs the World Church Committee and acts as the Vulnerable Adults Lead on our Safeguarding Committee.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Joe performs regularly as a continuo player, recently with ensembles such as Ex Cathedra, the London Handel Orchestra, English Touring Opera, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. He is also an assistant conductor of the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain.

Zimbabwe-born Patience moved to the UK in 2002 to train as a Paediatric Nurse, and is now a Senior Sister with the London Neonatal Transport Team. Patience lives in Wanstead with her partner and their two children, serves on the social committee and attends Little Angels toddler group with her younger child.

Jill has worked in accounting and finance in New York and London and now resides and works in Wanstead with her husband and their two children. Jill and her family enjoy travelling, especially back to the US, where she grew up, to visit family and friends.

Originally from Sydney Australia, Peter enjoyed an 18 year career in Finance (6 years of which were in Germany) before stepping off the treadmill to begin a new phase in life; family first. Having joined our Parish over a decade ago, life highlights include marrying in Christ Church in 2010, followed by the baptisms of his two children in 2013 & 2017. Peter was Parish Secretary from 2018-2021 and is now the Chair of the Friends, who run events on behalf of the Parish for the benefit of the Parish and Community alike.

A member of Wanstead Parish for over thirty years, having moved down from Cambridge to pursue a career in the City, Jem has been an active participant in the choir, a past (and sometimes current) bell ringer and one of the original members of the Friends Committee. He most regularly attends services at St Mary’s, where he performs various roles including reading the lesson, intercessions, sidesman, and cleaning.

Yvy is a sides-person at baptisms and our 8am service at Christ Church, and one of the Lay Worship Leaders.  She was involved with establishing our presence at Wanstead Farmers Market and also runs the Fairtrade stall with other volunteers.

David has lived in Wanstead for 35 years. Both he and his wife Margaret are retired from teaching and wanted to use their time and gifts to serve God in a local church and community. David most recently taught at Leyton Sixth Form College where he was a middle manager. He is particularly involved in the Prayer Group, Farmers Market stall and our 9am Sunday morning family eucharist service.

Originally from Australia, Suzi moved to London with her husband in 2012 and is now a mother to two young children.  She coordinates volunteers for Christ Church’s Family Eucharist and is also a Parent Champion of local Redbridge Children’s Centres and volunteers for Wanstead Church School.

Steven conducts the Parish Choir. He is a scholarship graduate of the Royal College of Music. Prior to his study at the RCM, Steven studied an undergraduate degree in piano performance at Birmingham Conservatoire. Aside from performing, Steven enjoys teaching and has vast experience in the field. Alongside running his teaching agency, Swindells Music, he currently has a full schedule teaching both singing and piano at Chigwell School and privately at his studio

Jenny is on both the intercessors and readers rotas at Christ Church, but usually sings in the choir. She works at University College London advising on the design of new teaching in Medicine and Engineering. A keen cyclist, Jenny volunteers as a cycle ride leader for beginner cyclists in Waltham Forest. She lives with her husband and stepson in Walthamstow.