Published: Friday, 11th December, 2009 5:00pm

Work on Gowna church almost complete

by Michael Cryan

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The unique Church of the Holy Family in Lough Gowna is nearing the end of a €200,000 refurbishment and Fr. PJ Fitzpatrick, PP, hopes to celebrate Mass there shortly.

Fr. PJ Fitzpatrick points out that the Church of the Holy Family is unique as it belongs to the parish of Gowna/Colmcille East, which is half in Ulster and half in Leinster. "I've heard of parishes being divided by county boundaries but not provincial," said the PP.

The church was built in 1906 by Fr. Michael Corcoran from Ardagh. "These are the first major renovations that have taken place since the church was established just over 100 years ago," said Fr. Fitzpatrick.

It has undergone a total refurbishment with a new floor, seating, lights, heating, altar, tabernacle and baptismal font, while the Stations of the Cross have also restored and eight new stained glass windows have been installed; three depict the Holy Family, others St. Mel, St. Ciaran, St. Patrick and St. Brigid.

According to Fr. Fitzpatrick the church has been painted from top to bottom and four new mosaics blend in with the original mosaics that have been there since the church was built in 1906. "The original sanctuary lamp was located and it had been restored as well," added Fr. Fitzpatrick.

Two new inserts have been built into the walls to hold holy oil, chalice, cruets and other such items. All the seats have been replaced and the church can hold 300 people.

"Renovation work began in August and since then Mass has been held in the local hall," said Fr. Fitzpatrick.

He had budgeted for €200,000, but there was a problem with the floor and it had to be replaced, which will add to the overall cost.

There was a tremendous response to fund raising locally, he added. Initially he brought three or four groups together and later got someone from each townland involved. "They all rowed in behind me, which was great," added Fr. Fitzpatrick. Originally from Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly, Fr. Fitzpatrick has been in Lough Gowna for eight years.

The reason the parish of Lough Gown is in Leinster has its origins in 1832. At that time Gowna formed part of the parish of Killeshandra/Arva but the then bishop of Kilmore, Kevin Brown, and his good friend Bishop William Higgins of Ardagh/Clonmacnoise for decided that the parish be alined with the diocese of Ardagh/Clonmacnoise.

Whichever diocese they're in, the people of Lough Gowna can now look forward to attending Mass in their splendid renovated new church just in time for Christmas.