Saul Church stands on the site known as the Cradle of Christianity in Ireland.
Tradition holds that St Patrick and his companions landed at the mouth of the Slaney river, a few miles from here, in 432AD. Patrick encountered Dichu, the local chieftain, who gave him a barn for shelter. The word for barn in Irish was Sabhall, from which we get the anglicised word Saul. From here Patrick traveled extensively sharing the message of Jesus Christ and he died here on 17th March 461.
For more than 300 years following Patrick’s death there was an abbey on this site until it was plundered and burnt by Vikings. In the 12th century Saul was refounded as an Augustinian Priory but it too was later plundered in the 14th century by Edward Bruce. One wall of this abbey remains along with an intact monastic cell in the old graveyard.
The present church building, which replaced a very simple building that had been built in 1788, was erected to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the landing of St Patrick and was opened on All Saint’s Day 1933.
Today prayer and worship continues at Saul as it has done over the centuries.
Services are held in the Church every Sunday at 10.00 am and prayer is offered at different times throughout the week.
The high point each year is our celebration of St Patrick’s Day on 17th March when we welcome visitors of all Christian backgrounds to worship with us.
Throughout the year we welcome visitors and pilgrims from around the world. Some are simply intrigued by the history and beauty of this locality, others are modern day pilgrims searching for peace and tranquility.
We welcome you to visit this sacred place and to be still, to think of all who have walked here over the centuries and of the message which Patrick brought here all those centuries ago.
Saul Church is part of the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP).
Saul Church is two miles outside Downpatrick and well signposted. Leaving the town follow the signs to Strangford and after one mile, turn right into Mearne Road. After 3/4 mile turn right into Saul Road. The church is on the left.
Morning worship at 10.00am
Weekdays 9.30am-4.30am Sundays 1.00pm-4.30pm
Saul Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6PE.