St Vincent de Paul Catholic Chapel

St Vincent de Paul Catholic Chapel

This prefabricated building stands in Ditton Lane. I have driven passed it for many years. I remember it being painted in orange and then in yellow and now in white. 

A few years ago I wondered about its Origin and found that it had moved several times across Cambridge in its life.

In 1907 in preparation for a possible war, The War Office planned the building of 23 ’Shadow Hospitals’ across Britain. To be built at the start of any conflict. 

So in 1914 this building along with many others was a prefabricated part of the First Eastern General Military Hospital in Cambridge. This was on the joint cricket field of King’s and Clare Colleges.

The hospital was closed in 1919 and then used for temporary dwellings for returning serviceman and this went on for 10 years until it was purchased for £250 by the Catholic Church in Hills Road to serve as a men’s club and church hall. Houghton Hall.

In 1939 it was dismantled and moved to be used as St Laurence’s Church, High Street Chesterton.

In 1958 it moved again to Ditton lane where it now is as the St Vincent de Paul Catholic Chapel.

I suspect is near the end of its working life even though it is regularly maintained. It has taken me a long time to stop and photograph the church. I would like to see if I can go inside and take some snaps.