K.F.T. Matrunola (1937-1994) was the faithful pastor of Salem Chapel Portsmouth, from 1971-1994.

Born in Glasgow - at the age of 16, he wrote an account of his ‘religion’ in which he stated, ‘I would believe that there was a God, but I could see no need for Christ or the church!’ Plucked, however, as a brand from the burning, he was ever of the opinion that God had wrought, in his case, in a most sovereign manner. There was no feeling of creature power, therefore he was always of Calvinistic convictions.

His first three pastorates in Scotland were of Baptist Union churches. But increasingly experimental religion warmed his heart, as he read the autobiographies of men like Philpot, Warburton and Kershaw and he longed to know if there were any, in these days, who knew the felt religion of these men. In 1969, therefore, he resigned his pastorate and moved to England.

Unashamedly a Strict and Particular Baptist, it was his conviction that they have a goodly - a biblical - heritage. His fine mind enabled him to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Latterly he ably defended the Gospel Standard Articles and, having preached through them, the church at Salem unanimously accepted them and applied for readmission to the list of Gospel Standard churches.

Shortly before he died he said, ‘I rejoiced when God brought me to see the doctrines of grace, gradually bringing down every barrier of opposition that was in my heart against them, and I cannot say that I have found anything wanting in them. I love these truths with all my heart!’