Rev. Charles S. Martin

(In 1957, Harvard accepted more than a third of the seniors.) Athletic teams excelled, winning numerous IAC titles. The Saint Albans News led several young editors to careers in journalism; prominent government officials addressed the Government Club; local papers gave rave reviews to the Glee Club’s original musicals. The campus added a five-story Lower School academic building named for Albert Lucas, the Lawrence Pool, the Ellison Library, the Trapier Theater, physics and biology labs, art studios, classrooms, faculty offices, and an expanded Cafritz Refectory. Martin watched over the integration of the school, deepened the school’s sense of community, and broadened student commitment to social service.

 

Born in Philadelphia, Martin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1928. He taught and, after his ordination, served as chaplain, at Philadelphia’s Episcopal Academy for 14 years before becoming rector of St Paul’s Church in Burlington, Vt.  Canon Lucas, who had supervised Martin at Episcopal, encouraged him to come to St. Albans, purportedly telling him: “Charlie, I told them I’d have nothing to do with the selection of my successor, but you’ve got to take the job!”