With the arrival of the railway in 1850 Holywood expanded rapidly and eventually it  became clear that the building wasn't big enough. The vestry approached the owner of the land behind the school in the hope of being able to buy it but Mr Browne was not
willing to sell. Fortunately in July 1876 the benevolent Captain Harrison offered a grant of half an acre of land below the Church once two thirds of the estimated cost was subscribed. Much the same process as is being used now to gather the funds for restoration. In 1878 the school was moved across the road to what is now the Parish Centre.

Who used the Old School building after 1878?  

Initially the Old School continued in use as a Parish Hall. In 1916 the 2nd Holywood Scout Group were formed and they have used the building continuously until 2001 when they had to move out because of concerns about the safety of the building.  This is thought to be one of the longest continuous associations between any Scout troop and a single building. HOSPT are currently researching this point.

During the Second World War the building was used to store paper collected to pay for Spitfires. It is reported that a 'thermometer' on the Maypole indicated how the appeal was going. Evening church services during the winter months of the war were held in the hall because of the blackout and soup was served at the hall to the home guard.

The accommodation at the North end of the building remained in use until the 1960s.  The last occupant was Miss Maud Thompson who had been the caretaker for the church and for the Parish school before its final move to Holywood Primary School in 1954.