Rev. Dennis Pearce spent nearly 20 years in this parish. He was known as Father Pearce and is still remembered by many people in this area. He started life in the Canning Town area and attended St Saviour’s church school Poplar before moving with his family to Elm Park. There he attended St. Nicholas church until going to theological college. After being ordained his first curacy was at St. Michael’s Manor Park, He came to us at St. Augustine’s in 1962 – officially as a curate to St. John’s and priest in charge of St, Augustine’s. He was well known for his friendly nature and sense of humour. He recently described the parish at that time as very friendly and “So full of life” unwittingly giving us a good title for our history book. A few years later he was also in charge of St. Luke’s Leyton.

The biggest change, however, came in 1965 when St. Augustine’s amalgamated with Holy Trinity and Father Pearce was offered the living of Harrow Green parish. He was installed as vicar on 26^th September in that year. He took all this in his stride and he and his mother moved from St. Augustine’s house to Holy Trinity Vicarage.

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