History > Drumaroad Church
In 1838 a new chapel was being built in Drumaroad but it
was blown down before its completion in the great storm of
the 6th of January, 1839.It was reported in the Down Recorder
on January 12th 1839 that “Drumaroad chapel within
three miles of Clough has been completely leveled”.
Whether or not this claim was strictly true is difficult to
trace but it is a fact that sufficient damage was caused to
the new Drumaroad church to put the work back two years. The
present church was finally completed in 1841.
In 1919 Fr. Dan O’Reilly carried out repairs to Drumaroad
Church, which included erecting a side altar in honour of
St. Patrick. The statue of St. Patrick was from St. Patrick’s
Church, Belfast. Two stone crosses were also erected at the
gable ends of the Church. In 1935 Rev. Denis Cahill renovated
the church and also had placed on the interior wall the slate-slab
thought to have been the altar stone of the Drumnaquoile Priory,
which by 1800 had been erased.
Drumaroad Bell Tower
A Bell-tower of rectangular blocks of stone was added to the
church in 1954.To mark the completion of the Bell Tower in
1954, the following article was published in the Mourne Observer
on the 14th May 1954.
“Bell of Drumnaquoile”
Rings Again
LEGACY OF THE PAST
The legendary “Bell of Drumnaquoile” sounded over
the peaceful countryside of Drumaroad on Sunday. It was the
occasion of the dedication of a new Bell Tower for the parish.
The bell was rung during the Consecration at the Solemn Votive
Mass of the Blessed Virgin, celebrated in the Church by Rev.
V. Davey, P. P., Antrim, and at which His Lordship Most. Rev.
Dr. Mageean, Bishop of Down and Connor presided.
Redediction of St.John the Baptist
Church, Drumaroad
Sunday 18th February 1996 saw another important chapter being
written in the history of St. John the Baptist Church at Drumaroad.
The Most Rev. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down & Connor,
visited the parish of Drumaroad & Clanvaraghan to rededicate
the new church and bless the new altar. In his homily, Bishop
Patrick Walsh spoke of the strong tradition of faith in the
parish of Drumaroad & Clanvaraghan
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<= RESTORATION
PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
– DRUMAROAD 1935 |
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<= ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
CHURCH DRUMAROAD FOLLOWING RENOVATION IN 1996 |
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