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ST PATRICK'S CHURCH INTERACTIVE
TOUR
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Welcome |
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Welcome to St Patrick's
interactive guide. This is an electronic guide to our church building
and its layout, giving you a pictorial guide (with historical notes) on
some of its fabulous contents and architectural highlights. We
hope you enjoy your visit and although you are not physically here we
hope you sense God's presence in this place which, for so long, has
been dedicated to Christian worship. |
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As you progress through
this page "Click on the images" to experience further content. |
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Click on the
image to view a 360 degree panoramic view of the interior of St
Patricks Church |
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St. Patrick's place
in the present‑day community of Coleraine is in keeping with its long
history. Physically it continues to stand prominently, tall,
dignified, renewed yet unchanged, at the hub of town life ‑ truly the
Church in the Market Place. Its doors stand open daily to all, whether
they come to admire the building itself, or to be still and know the
presence of God ‑ or both. People of all sections of the community
come to St. Patrick's, whether they be visitors who regard the church
as one of the chief buildings of architectural interest in the
borough, or townsfolk of every or no denomination, who come in to rest
and pray. |
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A Brief
Historical Introduction |
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(click on picture for
larger version) |
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According to tradition, St.
Patrick himself was the first to establish a place of Christian
worship at this location some time in the 5th century. Whether the
tradition is to be trusted or not, there is no doubt hat there has
been a church here for many centuries. In 1995 the foundations of a
church dating back at cast to the 14th century were discovered and
investigated by archaeologists The foundations of the 17th century
church, built about 1614 under the patronage of the Honourable the
Irish Society.
The present building was
re-erected between 1883 and 1885 and owes much to the initiative of
the Rev. Henry Stewart O'Hara (Rector 1869-1894), By his time the 17th
century church was in poor condition and too small for requirements.
The new building incorporated sections of the old walls and was
designed in the 15th century perpendicular style by the architect
Thomas Drew, who also built St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.
In November 1992 a terrorist
bomb devastated much of Coleraine town centre. Extensive restoration
and renovation work costing around one million pounds was carried out
on the church between 1995-1996. Now in the 21st Century we stand
together as one church family to share with you our church as it
stands now. Enjoy!
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Continue
Tour by clicking on Page 2 below..
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