REV James Martin is celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination this week.

Apr 12 2006 By Helen Russell, Wishaw Press

It's not just an anniversary date. It's a milestone in the remarkable life story of a man who has served the Church with quiet but passionate faith.

Rev Martin was born in Motherwell and now lives in Magnolia Street, Wishaw with his wife Marion, and the journey of the intervening years makes has miles and miles of interest.

For Jimmy, as he is familiarly known by many, has so many tales to tell, and indeed he has told them in a number of books which he has published.

James Martin was born and brought up in Motherwell.

He attended the former Dalziel Public School just round the corner from the family home. In fact, he only left the house when he heard the bell ring and was able to be at the school in time for the start of lessons.

He then went to Dalziel High School and graduated MA from Glasgow University in 1941, then gain a Bachelor of Divinity with distinction in New Testament studies in 1944.

This was the start of his life in the ministry but the end of academic accolades. James was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1983.

It was when he was 16 years that James knew he had a calling to the ministry and he never wavered.

He was ordained and inducted at Newmilns in Irvine Valley in 1946.

One year later he married Marion and it was a match made in heaven.

James and Marion were both members of Manse Road Church in Motherwell.

James recalls when he first met her.

He explained: "We needed a pianist at the life boys and leader Jimmy Johnston told me he had arranged for someone to help. That turned out to be Marion and she captured me immediately."

He obviously didn't have a problem with the captivity for the couple have been married for 59 years.

James accepted the call to High Carntyne Church in 1954 and stayed there for 34 years until he retired in 1987, although retirement is something of a misnomer.

Marion is an LRAM in piano and she learned the organ later in life.

Before her marriage she worked with the Inland Revenue and also taught piano to some pupils.

Her musical talent was a big bonus in her role as the Minister's wife.

They worked in partnership in the various churches in which they served.

They admit that this was often at the expense of quality time in family life but they make the comment with no regret for their love of serving in the Christian faith.

James and Marion have two daughters Heather and Lesley who are both married and there are now four grandchildren.

Heather and Lesley were both ordained as elders at High Carntyne by their father.

He also conducted their weddings and baptised the four grandchildren.

At High Carntyne, James preached on Sundays to congregations of between 800 and 900 people.

The church didn't quite accommodate this number of people and they had to bring in extra chairs.

James recalls one down side to this wonderful attendance at church.

He explained: "A mother and daughter, who were members, came to me to say they were leaving to go to another church as it was too busy in High Carntyne. They moved to a neighbouring church."

After his official retirement, James was available to take services in vacant churches and when ministers were on holiday.

This could have been between easy with around 5000 sermons under his belt. But he has never been one for the easy chair.

He took on 15 locum finishing with six years at Old Manse Road Church in Motherwell. It was a calling he could not resist as he and Marion "went home" to the church of their youth and their meeting.

Now he contents himself taking Sunday services when and where he is needed.

Football has been James' other big love and Marion quips that it is probably above her in the league table.

It was a passion that was originally instilled by James' father and culminated in a most remarkable relationship with Motherwell Football Club.

James went to matches at Fir Park with his father and he loved it.

He also played junior football with Kello Rovers in

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