|
|
|||||
|
Welcome
| Information
|
Faith |
Youth |
Adult ministries |
Contact us
|
Parish Magazine
|
Sunday Services
|
|||||
   
|
|
Parish History The Parish, which was
originally part of Magheralin Parish, was established in 1721; prior to this,
people had met in the local school for worship. A portion of land opposite Moira
Castle was given by the Hill family, later the Marquises of Downshire, as the
site for the Church. The construction work began in 1722, with the Rawdon family
making a significant contribution towards the cost. The church was consecrated
the following year. The architectural
lines of the church blend with the 18th century houses of Moira from which it
stands apart. The Georgian elegance of the Church is enhanced by the tall
copper-clad spire, which replaced the original slate steeple, which was blown
down in a freak storm in 1884. Of interest within, is the ancient reredos with
the creed inscribed in gold letters on Irish linen; the inner west door and
communion rails are said to have come from the Castle. In the 1950s, the
possibility of a parochial meeting place was investigated, as needs of various
parochial organisations grew. Several options were considered, and the location
of the Parochial Hall was finalised in 1954, when Mr W. Martin donated land in
the centre of the village. Work, however, did not begin until 1960. The
Parochial Hall was officially opened on 24th June 1961. In February 1998, a car bomb caused significant structural damage to the Parochial Hall and it was subsequently demolished. Much thought was put into the replacement as the needs of the church had outgrown the original building. The new Parish Centre, greatly enlarged to enable the church to continue to flourish and develop, was opened on 26th October 2002. For
a detailed history of Moira as written by our previous rector see MOIRA
|
|||
