All Saints’ is transformed

SUNDAY was a day of great celebration and significance for the parishioners of Kirkinriola as they witnessed the re-opening of All Saints Church following four months of re-ordering and refurbishment work.

The Church on that site between the Broughshane and Cushendall Roads has gone through many transformations since the first building was erected there in the early 19th century.

And, as in the past, the completion of the latest project was much anticipated by the congregation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This was reflected by the numbers which packed into the beautifully restored church on Sunday for the Solemn Mass of Reopening featuring the dedication of a new altar.

Now a stunning octagonal centrepiece crafted from white marble and based on the shape of the former pulpit, the altar is set amid an open plan, extended sanctuary area.

The altar rails and gates have been taken away and relocated along with the old altar at the reredos.

Further continuity with the past has also been achieved with the new ambo which has been partly constructed from the previous pulpit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The main thrust of the renovation was to maximise space in the sanctuary to allow the liturgy to be performed with appropriate dignity and to improve access space in front of it to facilitate the celebration of marriage and the order of funerals, which has all been well achieved.

Other additions and changes include - a new presider’s chair in the sanctuary, seating in the adjacent mortuary chapel, a spacious wheelchair-friendly confessional at the rear of the church, relocation of the baptismal font to its original location at the rear, spacious disabled toilets within the side entrance, new carpeting and resanding of the parquet flooring, and a new sound and loop system.

However, by far the most eye-catching features for many at Sunday’s Mass were original ones, rediscovered and given a new lease on life by the refurbishment.

The work revealed ornate gilt biblical text scripted in latin on the cornice around the nave and also brought back to its former glory the magnificent painted sanctuary ceiling of 33 intricately decorated wood panels depicting the Lamb of God, the four evangelists, angels carrying instruments of crucifixion and chalices of the Last Supper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There was, indeed, much for the congregation to take in and to celebrate as they worshipped at Sunday’s Solemn Mass led by The Most Reverend Donal McKeown, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor.

The concelebrants were the Very Reverend Patrick Delargy PP, Venerable Archdeacon Kevin Donnelly PE, Reverend Liam Toland CC, Reverend Mariusz Urbanowski SChr CC, and Very Reverend Patrick McVeigh while Rev. Aidan McCaughan CC was Master of Ceremonies.

All priests from the diocese who had served in or are native to Ballymena were invited to the Mass, among them Fr. David Delargy who was Cantor for the solemn occasion.

Music was provided by the Parish Choir and the Parish Folk Group and the readers were Patricia O’Neill and Cormac Elliott.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his homily, Bishop Donal McKeown picked up the theme of the deeper purpose of the beautiful building.

He said: “The Church is where we come together to become the People of God...We cannot be Christians on our own or be limited to prayer as a purely private devotion. So there is a clear purpose to the work done on this beautiful 152-year-old Church.”

Bishop McKeown particularly welcomed representatives of other Christian churches in attendance, stating: “That is a reflection of how far this community has come in recent years in bearing common witness of our fraternity in Christ. Your presence is a blessing on us as we seek to bear public witness to the presence among us of the grace of God, revealed in Jesus Christ.”

A special illustrated booklet was produced for the Mass and distributed on the day which confirmed that many Parish Priests have, with the support of their parishioners, left their mark on the built heritage of All Saints over the years. - Fr Alexander McMullan PP (1889-1908), for example, who added the magnificent bell tower with its 37 hundred-weight bell and Canon Thomas O’Donnell PP (1908-1941) who installed the organ.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his foreword to the commemorative parish publication, present incumbent, Fr Delargy, paid glowing tribute to all those who worked so hard to bring the latest project, of refurbishing and re-ordering, to completion.

And, he wrote: “Our newly refurbished church is a sign of our faith in God’s presence today among us and a sign of our being called to fulfilment in our eternal home in heaven.”

Related topics: