Athenry’s New ₤90,000 Parish Church

Source: Connacht Tribune, 17 May 1968

The new ₤90,000 Parish Church at Athenry was blessed by the Archbishop of Tuam, His Grace Most Kev. Dr. Joseph. Walsh, on Tuesday evening (16 May 1968).

His Grace performed the ceremony before a large congregation of parishioners and afterwards presided at Mass concelebrated by nine Athenry-born priests.

The Church is dedicated to Our Lady Assumed Into Heaven and replaces the Church built in 1850. Parts of the old Church are incorporated in the new building, which has been erected on modern lines and has seating for 1,100 people.

Murphy Brothers, Dublin, were the contractors and the architects were Mr. John Thompson and Partners, Limerick. The
upper roof was erected by Messrs. Beckett of Belfast and Aryns
of Dublin were consulting structural engineers. Dublin artist Ray Carroll designed the altar and the altar in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. He also designed the cross over the high altar.

On arrival at the church, His Grace inspected a guard of  honour from E Company, 16th Infantry Battalion, under Lieut. Raymond Ruane. He was escorted by Lieut. Rd. McEvoy and Lieut. Martin O’Donnell.

A special sermon was preached by Rev. Christopher Kilkelly,
C.C., Killawalla, Co. Mayo, a native of Athenry parish.

Athenry, he said can well be proud of its past. Its ancient walls date back to the beginning of the 13th century (1211 A.D.) to the reign of King John of England after whom its castle is
named. It once had a Mayor and Corporation and a royal charter. Its once splendid Dominican Abbey and Church date back to 1241. It was once a university town.

Some worldly-minded people may say our history is an in-
glorious record because to a great extent it has been a history of strife and suffering. But from a spiritual point of view it has been a glorious and successful struggle for the faith.

This town has never been sullied by the guilt of heresy.
Although its ancient churches were destroyed, its schools closed
and their possessions confiscated, it has always clung with unwavering fidelity to the faith.

The new style of church building reflects the new thinking within the Church. Up to the present we considered a church as
God’s House. Churches were too ornamented, and there were too many side effects, shrines, statues. The Irish people of olden days had a different outlook. Their word for church was teach an phobuil,  the house of the People of God and this is exactly
what a church is, primarily and essentially.

Architecture nowadays highlights the church essentials. A church must reflect the nature of the Christian Community and
the reason why it assembles. To build a church is to work not only for the present but for the distant future. People will come
there to worship and pray for centuries to come. This church
with its enduring strength and beauty is a memorial of your heavenly aspirations.

The Archbishop said he was very pleased to be present on this day of special distinction and happiness for Athenry people to offer his sincere congratulations. He said that all of them could be proud of the work done on the church. He went on to thank the architects, builders and all associated with the work, especially the people of Athenry themselves.

“The people have been really magnificent and but for their fullest co-operation and great sacrifice the work would not have been done. It was an outstanding example of their faith and love for God.”