Fr. Martin's first appointment after being ordained was as assistant priest in St. John's, a post he held from 1989 until 1994. In 1997 he returned, this time as Parish Priest before leaving to join the St. James Society in Ecuador in 2004.

Fr. Martin will be greatly missed by all in the parish and we send our condolences to his family.

Streaming of the Vigil Reception for Fr. Martin will be shown live on the diocesan YouTube Channel at 7pm on 28th April. His Requiem Mass will also be streamed live on the Galloway Diocese YouTube Channel at noon on 29th April.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for him.

St. John The Evangelist, pray for him.

A Message from Bishop Frank Dougan

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As with many of you I am mourning the loss of our own Father Martin Chambers. This is a personal loss to so many across the Diocese and beyond (right across the Atlantic to Ecuador). We think in particular of his family whom he loved so much.

He was a man of great love, enthusiasm and faith. He gave everything for the People of God, and so many have been touched by him. We only learn to love if we have been loved first: Fr. Martin was one of the finest teachers in how to love, and so was a true instrument of God.

As he looked forward to his new role as Bishop, he spoke often as being a missionary disciple and he certainly was that. Can I ask in a special way, you take care of your priests more than ever in the days that follow? They have lost a brother and need your love.

We continue to pray for each other, for his family and for the repose of his soul.

+Frank Dougan

Bishop of Galloway