This is a sketch of the proposed temporary Church Hall described later in the Catholic Press as "the hut-church".

The caption reads " Church of St. Thomas More, Little Parndon, Harlow."

The description on the sketch reads: "The temporary Church Hall soon to be erected in the Parish will be built in sections of red cedar wood and will have a green felt roof. An additional roofing section is used to make an attractive porch, and windows are provided all round the Hall. It will be erected on the site for the permanent church on the corner of Hodings Road and Upper Park, next to the Priest's House. We are fortunate in having such a central spot in so delightful surroundings."

The photograph (above left) shows Bishop Wall, late Bishop of Brentwood, outside the Priest's House in Upper Park, having arrived to celebrate Mass at the newly constructed hall above.

In the photograph (above right) we see the altar as used in the temporary Church Hall. It is in the Tridentine style, with the Tabernacle at the centre (above which is a crucifix), flanked by three candlesticks either side.
Resting against the Tabernacle is a Mass Card upon which are written the principal parts of the Mass in Latin. To the right of the altar, resting against a flower vase is another Mass Card with the "Last Gospel" ( so called because it was read at the end of Mass) - the Gospel according to St. John - in Latin. A further Mass Card is hidden behind the Missal it contained the Lavabo in Latin.
The Roman Missal again written in Latin can be seen resting on its stand at the right of the altar.
To the left of the altar on a small table the Sanctuary lamp (required by Canon Law) to indicate the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The sanctuary bells normally rung during the Canon of the Mass and the Priest's Communion, can be seen on the floor to the right of the altar.
The credence table for holding the Water & Wine, Lavabo Bowl and Towel can be seen to the right of the altar.
Beneath the Credence table can be seen the Holy Water Bucket, used during the "Asperges" or "Vidi Aquam"
The Sanctuary was seperated from the rest of the church by the Altar Rail which can be seen in the foreground of the picture.

In the photograph (above), we see the assembled ministers and servers, presumably listening to the Epistle. The Bishop is sitting on the left of the photograph near the altar, adjacent to him is a Monsignor and then two servers. On the right of the altar is the Master of Ceremonies (standing) next to whom is the Priest flanked by a deacon ( on his left) and sub-deacon (on his right). The indications are that this is a High Mass.

This photograph shows the ministers and people standing, with the Bishop at the centre of the altar. A server can be seen at the Epistle side of the altar in the process of removing the Missal, presumably to take it to the Gospel (left) side of the altar. It would appear therefore that the Bishop or celebrant is about to read the Gospel.

The red cedar wood hall was situated on the location of the present church and while it was being used to celebrate the Holy Mass, work was underway in constructing the new church hall.

The construction of the Wooden Hall and the new church took place under the determined and watchful eye of the late Fr. Mayston, the first Parish Priest of St. Thomas More. On completion of the present hall, the celebration of Mass was transferred there.

The above photograph shows (from left to right) the Presbytery, the present Church Hall and in the background, the present church still very much under construction.

Note the statue of St. Thomas More on the back wall of the Church Hall, this was later replaced with one of Our Lady of Lourdes which was later removed due to vandalism. The statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was renovated by Richard King who also built the grotto in the Presbytery Garden.

To the right can be seen a photograph of the new Church Hall as it was, when used for celebrating Holy Mass. Once again we see the sanctuary ordered in the Tridentine fashion with the requisite Altar Rails.

To the left of the sactuary, is a statue of St. Thomas More and one of St. Joseph. A Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, can be seen to the right of the altar. A stand for votive candles can be seen to the right of the sanctuary.

The opening to the right of the Sanctuary was presumeably the door to the Sacristy.

"As the hut-church in Harlow was being demolished many parishioners must have turned their thoughts back to the days when it was built.

For they had built it themselves - 30 of them with their Parish Priest, Fr. Anthony Mayston, toiling at the foundations and then at the structural work, hurrying so that it could open on its patronal feast of St. Thomas More.

They did not quite win the race with time, for though the church did open on the day it was without part of the roof and the seating.

Now the new church soaring high from an eminence overlooking part of the town, was almost ready and once again it was a question of whether it could be opened on the feastday.

On the eve of the appointed day there seemed little hope. The building still awaited its wooden flooring and was cluttered with equipment and debris.

But eight parishioners worked throughout the evening clearing sanctuary and nave and installing what pews had arrived - and once again St. Thomas was honored in an unfinished church on the anniversary of his martyrdom.

Yet a third time the parishioners were called on to beat the clock - by completing a cement path which the bishop would use at the churche's official opening. The job was finished at 1am on the day itself. Opened in 1965, the church of St. Thomas More has a feature seldom to be matched elsewhere.

From the ground you can in one stride step straight on to the roof. For part of the roof descends to within a foot from the ground, the long grass curling around the guttering.

The two sides of the tent-like roof are in no great hurry to meet and when they do they are very high - too high, say some parishioners - above the nave.

But the long sweep has the symbolism of the Gothic spire, marking the place where earth is priviledged to ascend to heaven and signifying too, the aspirations of those worshipping beneath it.

With its detached tower, the church makes an imposing landmark. Alongside it is the parish hall, excellently equipped and designed to harmonise with it.

An unusual credence table is to be seen in the sanctuary - a white marble slab supported by an anvil-like plinth of dark stone.

A touch of consideration in the baptistry: behind a low concrete wall is a terrace from which relatives and friends may look on.

An oblong recess forms the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a statue of Our Lady enthroned near it.

The present parish priest is Fr. Gerard Hughes.

Cost: £29,500.
Architect: Burles & Newton.
Builder: Baker, Hammond & Laver".