The Mission Room as a Place of Worship

Article researched and presented by Margaret Craddock

The Mission Room was erected in Finedon Road at the junction with Higham Road in the late nineteenth century.  It was built through the generosity of two spinster ladies, the Miss Orlebars who came from Hinwick Hall originally.  They lived in a large brick house in the High Street that later became the Cottage Homes.  It was built to serve the people of “New Town” to the south of the town.  This area consisted of Finedon Street, Alexander Street, Duke Street, Rosebery Street, Spencer Street and Newman Street.  It was built as a branch of St Mary’s Church in the town to provide Sunday worship and social activities.  Services were conducted by the local curate or resident Church Army Captain.  (In addition to its use as a church, part of the building was also used as a school, known as Finedon Road Infants School.)

Mission Room Bookmark on the left shows Capt G W Atkins,
Church Army c 1920-30s

In 1939 the building was closed for worship and used as an ARP post for the duration of the war.  In August 1946 a press report states that the St John Ambulance Brigade terminated their tenancy of the premises.  It was at this time that a Sunday School and Bible Class was reinstated to the Mission Room.  On the Sunday prior to Christmas 1947, the Sunday School and Bible Class held the first service there for eight years and it was well attended.  Early in 1947, members of the Bible Class redecorated the inside of the building and another service was held on the Sunday after Ascension and again the church was full.  This resulted in requests for more services.  A meeting took place, a committee was elected and regular weekly Sunday services took place conducted by Lay Readers.

The following years were often difficult with small congregations but money was raised for the chancel to be refurbished, a new electronic organ to be installed and new choir robes to be purchased.

Early in the 1950’s the Church Army again returned and the Captains were responsible for the pastoral work at the Mission Room.  Under their guidance the work prospered and the congregations often numbered 50 – 60, together with a large choir.  The Sunday School was active with well over 100 pupils and there was a thriving Youth Club with a good number of young people attending services.

Social activities at the Mission Room included Beetle Drives, Whist Drives, Concerts and Dances.  An annual pantomime was performed and a Christmas Day Party organised for those who lived alone.  The choir actively supported a local Dr Barnado’s Home and brought the children to the town for outings and parties.  The work in the East End of London by Father Joe Williamson was also supported.

Philip Mason who was organist, choirmaster and instigator of much of the work carried out at the Mission Room, also produced the monthly magazine for the last 16 years of the building’s active use.

The Mission Room ceased to function for services in 1967 when the Rector at that time, the Revd Derek Hole, decided that for Sunday Evening services the whole Anglican congregation should worship together with their Parish Priest.  Two evening services taking place at the same hour meant that it was impossible for him to get to the Mission Room.   The Sunday School and certain parish activities were to continue at the Mission Room for the present time.  Monthly communion services took place together with meetings of Youth Groups, Mothers’ Union and various committees. (To read the Rector’s letter relating to the closure click the button below)

In 1972, following a period when it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the structure and surroundings of the Mission Room, the Rector proposed the sale of the building in order to partially finance a new Parochial Hall and Office.  At that time it was hoped that the County Council would be interested in purchasing the site for a Youth Centre.  In the event this sale did not materialise and eventually the Mission Room was sold to a private developer.  Part of the main church area was demolished and a bungalow erected.  The remainder of the building was converted into a private house.