Place Name
Theodore Mark Bamber (September 6, 1891 – March 14, 1970) was a long-serving Baptist pastor at Rye Lane Chapel who took up the post in 1926. During his 35 year tenure he was reknowned as a powerful preacher who challenged Winston Churchill’s post-war plans, even writing to the Prime Minister to air his views. He retired from the post in 1961 but continued preaching until his death. Born in Bow into a working class family, he became a railway clerk after leaving school before attending Spurgeon’s College to study for the ministry, taking up various postings until Rye Lane. In July 1940, he lost his only son, Christopher, 19, a Bomber pilot serving with the Royal Air Force when was shot down and killed on a lone mission over Belgium. He is buried in the cemetery at Bruges. Less than three years later, in January 1943 the chapel was extensively damaged, with the roof was torn off, during a bombing raid. It was not until July 1948 that the chapel officially re-opened. This road was named in 2003 by Southwark Council not far from Rye Lane Baptist Chapel on the suggestion of John Beasley.
