'Wonderful occasion' as church in Offaly celebrates 200th anniversary

St Brendan's RC Church in Birr celebrated its 200th anniversary during a special mass recently.

Several clergy members were in attendance, including Chief Celebrant Bishop Fintan Monahan, Bishop of Killaloe.

Chairperson of Birr Pastoral Council Brian Kennedy began the mass with Words of Welcome, including a short history of the building.

Peter Whyte of Birr Choral Society wrote a mass for the occasion and it was performed by the Society, conducted by Charles Marshall and accompanied by organist Enda O'Connor. The members of St Brendan's Church under the direction of Tommy Lyndon were also in attendance, singing the hymns and responses.

It was the first public performance of Peter's mass. Rich with melodies and harmonies, Peter has written a beautiful and carefully crafted piece and it received a warm round of applause from the congregation at the end of the mass.

During the mass Father Tom Hogan also drew everyone's attention to Brian Kennedy's good work. He said Brian's knowledge of Birr's history is second to none and his historic tours of the town are greatly appreciated. He said everyone was looking forward to the upcoming publication of Brian's history booklet.

Joan Hogan oversaw the Gathering Rite during which a number of symbols associated with the church were presented.
Lady Alison Rosse presented Water from St Brendan's Well.

Cora Dunne presented the Baptismal Register; Breda Bergin and Joe McEvoy the Church Keys; Mary Kelly and Teresa Brereton Msgr John Ryan's Chalice; Pat Pilkington the Pastoral Council Register; Gabriel Dolan the Organ Recital Programme; Eabha McDowall and Lucy Crowley a Collage of Parish Events.

The Readings were read by Elaine Eastwood and Damien Delaney.

The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Joel Shobin, Eabha McDowall and Jillian Crowley.

The Offertory was presented by Mary Nolan, Ann O'Connor, Michael Hogan and Grainne Cashen.

Sharon Conneely read out her excellent Communion Reflection during which she talked about the power of coming together and partnership in tackling the negative things in life, in bringing about better situations so that our general happiness increases. By focussing on what unites rather than divides us we can achieve more.

The Bishop said he was delighted to be part of “this wonderful mass on this wonderful occasion.”

He said this was an ecumenical occasion which celebrated the philosophy of Christian humanism and welcomed a plurality of views. With this in mind he warmly welcomed the members of the Church of Ireland and Methodist communities who were in attendance, including members of the Parsons family, whose ancestor, the 2nd Earl of Rosse, donated the church site to the community, as well as £100 and a quarry of stone back in 1824.

“On December the 3rd, 2017 I was here for a mass marking the 200th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone for this church. What a joy, what a privilege it is for me to be back here today once again in this magnificent liturgical space.

“Today is a wonderful occasion for all involved in the life of this church in any way. There are some here today whose family members have been worshipping here over the last two centuries, in this Teach an Phobail, this house of the community. It is important to remember that the Catholic Church is primarily a people before it is the buildings associated with it.

“There are 138 churches in the Diocese of Killaloe. They are all special places of worship but few of them can rival the beauty of St Brendan's.” He referred to the building's stained glass windows including the stained glass window in the western / chancel part of the building (behind the high altar). This window was designed by the renowned architect Augustus Pugin and is the oldest stained glass window in the Diocese.

The Bishop pointed out that he was very conscious of the significant role St Brendan's Church has played in the lives of the local community over the last 200 years. “I am very conscious that it's a dearly loved building which has been a sanctuary for thousands and a place where people can commune with God as a temporary reprieve from their sometimes difficult lives. I am very conscious of the landmark moments which occur here for people whether it be the baptism of your child, your First Holy Communion, receiving the Holy Spirit during the Sacrament of Confirmation, or expressing your Marriage Vows. It's a place where cherished and important memories are made. For the Christian, memory and hope are closely intertwined.

“There is of course much tragedy and gloom in the world, but we should remind ourselves that there are many good things happening in our Society and in our Church among all ages. They might not get the coverage that they deserve. Nevertheless, we have a duty to hand on these great things and treasures of faith in our own local area and to provide every support we can for them. I hope and pray that future generations will have been inspired by us in the way that our generation has been influenced and inspired by those who have gone before us.”

Congratulations, blessings and good wishes!
“I warmly congratulate you all on this historic occasion and I pay a special tribute to your parish clergy, the pastoral council, the organising committee and everyone involved. This evening I reiterate my congratulations to you as the people of the parish on the way in which you have been so devoted to and cared for this beautiful Church since worship began here 200 years ago; for the generosity that has enabled you to continue to beautify it.
“I hope and pray that this Church will continue to provide the people of the Birr area with a special identity as God’s people and that you will feel welcome and at home here with the Lord.”

A History
St. Brendan’s Church was built to replace a previous probably thatched building, located to the rear of the current building. It was built in the pre-Catholic emancipation, pre-famine and pre-ecumencial times of the early 19th century.
On 1st August 1817, William, Lord Oxmantown laid the foundation stone of St. Brendan’s Church. It was the first public duty of the 17 year old heir of the Earl of Rosse. He later went on as 3rd Earl of Rosse to become a famous astronomer and built the Leviathan Telescope in Birr Castle grounds (the largest in the world from 1845-1917).

Early Developments
The new Church was in the shape of a Latin cross, its spire soaring to 124 feet 6 inches and is gothic in style.
The collection of money to build the church was one of the causes of the infamous Crotty Schism.
The church was completed on 1st of August 1824 but the interior was unfinished. Fr. John Spain completed the interior in the early 1840s. He installed the vaulted gothic ceiling and galleries and also the chancel (Pugin) window in 1842. The chancel contains in it’s detail St. Flannan, St. Patrick, the Madonna, St. Joseph, St. Brendan, along with the annunciation, the Magi, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection. A kaleidoscope of colour and beauty, Bishop Monahan declared it to be a “masterpiece.”

Subsequent renovations
In 1872 two new sacristies and a new altar were installed. In 1890 the bell was installed and given the name ‘St. Michael’ (Patron saint of P.P. Fr. Michael Bugler) by Bishop McRedmond when consecrating the bell. (Bishop Tom McRedmond was originally from Birr. Bishop Monahan is the second person from Offaly to become Bishop of Killaloe).
Following Fr. Bugler’s death in 1893 the current reredos of the altar and pulpit were erected in Caen stone by parishioners as a memorial to him, in 1894. The pitch pine block floor and central tiles were laid in 1898. Major renovations were completed prior to the centenary in 1917.

Stained Glass Windows
The beautiful windows in the Church have an interesting sequence: The bottom stained glass windows were installed between the 1880s and 1903. The top stained glass windows date from 1913. Other significant windows are by the famous artist Richard King in the side porches and the Leinster Regiment memorial window dating from 1963. This is the only window to a British army regiment in any Irish RC Church.

Recent Developments
Other more recent developments of the Church include the building of an organ by Rooney and Coffey in 1953. Following Vatican II renewal Monsignor P.J. Hammel gave the parishioners a vote to replace the altar completely or retain the 1894 reredos with minimal alterations. They chose to retain the altar, showing their love for the building’s history.
In 1995 the Conference Room and Priest’s Sacristy were built.
In 2001 the Church was completely refurbished, including rewiring and slating of the entire roof. The baptismal font was also relocated to its present position.