Bishop Harold attends historic re–opening
One of the finest Catholic Chapels in Ireland re–opened its doors on Sunday 6th November after a 3 million pounds refurbishment.
Built in 1833, St Peter’s Parish Church in Lurgan had been closed for more than two years, with parishioners using a temporary chapel a few hundred yards away.
The re–dedication Mass was led by the Catholic Bishop of Dromore, Dr John McAreavey. Special guests included the Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller and other Protestant clergy.
In a town with a reputation for religious division, Bishop McAreavey described the attendance of his friend Harold Miller as hugely significant.
“The re–opening of our Church is an occasion of great joy, hope and celebration for us,” said Bishop McAreavey.
“Bishop Miller’s presence demonstrates his interest in what is happening in our church, particularly in the area of renewal of faith, and we try to support each other as much as possible in our roles as Christian leaders.
“We are trying to ensure that traditional walls between our communities come down, and that our communities see each other as partners in faith, rather than as rivals.”
St Peter’s was built 178 years ago on land donated to the Catholic Church by Lord Lurgan, Baron Charles Brownlow, and two of his direct descendants also accepted an invitation to attend the ceremony.
“I am delighted members of the Brownlow family have agreed to attend this special Mass and to allow us to demonstrate our gratitude for the generous gesture that enabled this beautiful church to be built on this site,” said Parish Priest Monsignor Aiden Hamill.
“This is about much more than re–opening a building, it is about the community that St Peter’s serves. We see the church as the heart of the community and want to reflect that in the opening ceremony. This is about people, not just a building.”
The refurbishment work uncovered a number of forgotten treasures within the church, which can now be seen for the first time in many years.
A Rose window, believed to be constructed from glass dating back to the opening of the Chapel in 1833, had only been visible from the outside for half a century. It can now be seen from inside after a large pipe organ was removed.
Builders also uncovered a beautiful mosaic, believed to have been laid in the 1920s, when they moved the altar, which has now been relocated. The mosaic, which features a motif of the Lamb of God, has been fully restored.
Bishop Harold pictured with Bishop John and Msgr Aiden to his left. Rector of Shankill, Lurgan, Revd Geoff Wilson to his right.