see also NTM-02-01-7
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Pre Vat II Portable Altar - No. 3.
This is as described in the photo at Long Melford. But this was taken in a pub bar in Holt, Norfolk
Altar No. 3"
Image of altar fully dressed.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Pre Vat II Portable Altar - Third Model.
This altar was made of oak by my friend. It was completely one folding unit. The op opened up to form the reredos, the bottom folded down to form the legs, the cabinet between the top and the bottom contained all the other mass requisites. Including the telescopic credence table! The whole altar fitted into a heavy brown canvas cover with carrying straps. See Landrover photo when I was loading all my gear! Taken in a house at Long Melford (Suffolk)(haunted?!)
Altar No. 3"
Altar dressed for Mass; Madonna & Child to left (in its carrying case); framed poster of the crucifixion to right; seven chairs set for the congregation.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Altar No. 4. This is post Vat II.
This was in two main pieces - a heavy wooden folding table & a large wooden case made of marine plywood with aluminium protective moulding on all corner edges. The case has a detachable lid which when removed allowed the altar top to be unfolded outwards - under this folding top were stowed all the altar requisites.
This was the altar I left at Mr St John Foti's museum at Downham Market.
Note. This photo shows my hand-carved statue of O.Lady in a protective oak case - I used to stand it near my altar. On the left is one of my seasonal posters by an artist friend. (Boxford Suffolk)
Altar No. 4"
Altar dressed for Mass with family[?] posing alongside.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Post Vat II Portable Mission Altar No. 4.
This is as described on the photo taken at Boxford, Suffolk.
This one was taken at the house-mass at Snettisham, Norfolk - can't remember the year!
Altar No. 4"
See also NTM-02-01-10 - same image
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's Second Pre Vat II Portable Altar. See the pony club photo & landrover photo when loading it up.
Altar No. 2"
Undated / unknown location / unknown man & child.
The mix of household chairs indicated this venue is in a domestic residence.
Note the Madonna & Child on left - specially made and boxed for Fr McCormick
Bus - converted into a travelling chapel
image was taken outside Fox Den, Burnham, Buckinghamshire (Fr McCormick's home)
Oil painting of Madonna and Child set in front of bus
the image was taken outside Fox Deb, Burnham, Buckinghamshire (Fr McCormick's home) as stated on reverse of photograph
5 images associated with the converted bus used in NTM:
top: madonna & child image in destination board
mid-left - bus
mid-right: interior of the bus (altar, seats, etc.)
lower-left: close up of altar - Tridentine layout
lower-right: copy of press cutting with Fr McCormick celebrating Mass
Signposts for boundaries of Norfolk, East Suffolk, West Suffolk and Bedfordshire
image top right shows the Land Rover used in NTM
image bottom left shows the Bedford van used in NTM
Portable altar set up ready for Mass.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's First Pre-Vatican II portable altar. It was in two pieces - a fairly heavy folding table (made of beechwood) - there was an oblong hole in the centre of the top for the altar stone. The other piece was an oblong beechwood frame which screwed onto the top back edge of the table and on which the reredos curtain and crucifix were hung. All other altar prerequisites I carried in a big case (as seen in the photo). This photo I took in a pub in Histon (Cambs) one Sunday in 1959 - Notice I turned the dartboard to face the wall!
Altar No 1"
Portable altar with people stood around; candles lit; (during?) Mass.
Reverse: "Fr Mac2's First Pre-Vatican II portable altar as used in Travelling Mission work. I took this at a "house-Mass" in 1959. The man with the glasses looking into the camera used to be deputy head of All Souls School at Peterborough.
Altar No 1."
Covering letter for comments on Altar #4.
Fr McCormick is thrilled that his altar is safe. May have suffered a little wear. Manuscript details about the altar are enclosed.
Image of a bee on flowers is on reverse "One I took last year".
unknown date; unknown place; unknown group
McCormick, Robert L. Rev (-2015)Photograph of a press cutting showing the interior of "Busilica" with Fr McCormick celebrating mass before a small congregation.
Text reads: "Mass in a bus - one of the most unusual chapels in Britain today. This bus has been converted into a mobile chapel by the Northampton Travelling Missioner, Fr R McCormick, to bring the Mass to rural Catholics in nine counties. This picture is one of a series in a new Guild of Ransom leaflet telling of the work of the travelling missions in Britain and how Ransomers help maintain and expand this apostolate. See 'Crisis daces ransom Guild'. Photo by Peter Tynan O Mahoney"
Undated / unknown location
Mission altar set up in a domesitic residence [?]
Altar set for Tridentine rite
Undated / unknown location
Mission altar set up in a bar
Undated / unknown location
Mission altar set up in a [hall?]
Altar set for Tridentine rite
Undated / unknown location
Mission altar set up in a hut [village hall?] - note garden chairs, Maddona & Child statue.
The altar is set facing the congregation - probably post Vatican II?
[Fr McCormick in the picture?]
Reverse of image: "St Matthew's, Barton le Cley, 1961"
McCormick, Robert L. Rev (-2015)