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
Mrs Dora M Cowton acknowledged safe receipt of Fr McCormick's material about the Travelling Mission.
RCDEA ArchivesMrs M Osborne acknowledged safe receipt of Fr McCormick's material - to be placed in the bookcase in Archive Room 1.
CorrespondentCopied onto Travelling Mission headed paper [by Fr McCormick?].
Letter from Bishop Clark to Stephen Lennane of Reepham. Explains the reasons for the closure of the Travelling Mission. Suggest that others could be of help: Sister Maeve (St Louis Convent, Bury St Edmunds) and Canon McBride who has been asked to see how the Diocese can help those in Reepham.
"... we can work our an alternative to the devoted care of Fr McCormick."
[headed notepaper for "Fox Den, Dorneywood Road, Burnham"]
Sorry to hear of Fr MvcCormick's crash - hopes insurance covers the wreckage - and that he takes proper respite and take rest here [Fox Den?]. Sends his Christmas greetings - "But please note this is my final [underlined] card, so keep for ensuing years! If I survive any!" Signed as Bishop "Emeritus"
postscript: "The Holy See ... asks retired Bishop, like me, to ignore the name of their old Diocese, as 'formerly' of it"
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
Calling card using the Fox Den, Burnham Buckinghamshire address
McCormick, Robert L. Rev (-2015)Calling card using a Hingham address
McCormick, Robert L. Rev (-2015)Calling card completed for Bracon Ash, Village Hall 9.30 am
Completed by "Bert" [Fr McCormick]
Reverse in manuscript "Luke 2. 8-20"
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
Signed by "David" [from Holt]
Sad situation [closure of Travelling mission?] many will be writing to the Bishop to complain - feel that the Bishop and his fellows are out of touch with the people.
Signed "Denis" (Mill Hill, London). Opening paragraph about not being able to use "father" or "master" (cites bible requirement not to).
Paragraph on the admiration expressed by him and his friends regarding Fr McComick's missionary work and for the "busilica" as described in Fr McCormick's notes.
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"