When we look at the church in Laurencetown and its deteriorating condition we need to look back at its history and the great personal difficulties Catholics of this area had in building it. From the Rebellion of 1641 through the Cromwellian Period (1649-1660) and following the passing of the Penal laws 1695-1697 Catholics in this parish attended mass at “Mass Rocks” in secluded places at Holy Mount, Clare, Bleary, Newmills and Knocknagore. Tradition tells how the Catholic people of the district were assembling for Mass in the open air at the Mass Rock at Holy Mount on a cold winter morning with snow covering the ground when Mr Lawrence (after whom Lawrence town is called), his wife and daughter observed this pathetic sight. His daughter, feeling sorry for the hardships to which the Catholics were exposed asked her father to do something for them. When asked what he was expected to do she suggested that they should be given the “old flailing or threshing house” located just where we are now near the bridge. The request was duly granted. Then from about 1750 this building was used for mass and for administration of the sacraments. By 1847 this building was recognised by all creeds as a “Roman Catholic Chapel.”

From the 6^th March 1770 the congregation was without a priest because Richard Johnston of Gilford Castle offered a reward of £20 for the arrest and imprisonment of Fr Francis McPolin who was a priest here in Laurencetown. He was forced to flee, hidden in a farmyard in Drumhorc and made his way to Mayobridge where he continued his ministries.

After 1771, Catholics could take out leases on property, so on 12^th April 1790, Fr. Hugh O’ Kelly later to become Bishop Of Dromore, secured a lease on the present Church site here in Coose, Laurencetown. The Parish had now legal ownership of a church and cemetery. Making many sacrifices, Fr O’Kelly and the parishioners built a new and larger church measuring 64 ft by 32 ft. By 1834, with the new industries on the River Bann, the Catholic population increased and so an extension was built. This consisted of breaching the southern side wall and building a projection measuring 32 ft wide by 25 ft long about 9 ft high. It cost the princely sum of £150 and the Church could now accommodate 750 people.

In 1868/70 a wooden belfry was erected at the rear and northern end of the Church. Then in 1878, Canon Bernard O’Hagan PP was requested by the Bishop to undertake a lecture tour of the USA to help fund the building of a new school in Gilford and repairing St Colman’s and St Patrick’s, Laurencetown. According to the Bishop, if the Church was left in its present state, “it will cause deplorable injury to the crowds who frequent it”. The work was completed in 1880.

A new tower and belfry was constructed in 1912 at a cost of £2000.

On 30^th April 1966, the Church was reopened after extensive renovations including a new and raised roof, projecting confessionals and baptistry, a new sanctuary, sacristy, gallery and committee room at the rear. Total cost £40,000.

Now in 2009, essential repairs to the roof valleys and parapets, new ceiling and interior and exterior painting are deemed urgent. The project has been approved by the Bishop and Diocese and will cost approximately £114,000.

For 260 years, present and past generations have by their devotion and hard work contributed generously to the development of our three churches through very difficult times. That is the enduring spirit of the people of this parish. As you see they had to endure many hardships and tribulations over that period. With a debt of approximately £450,000 there is no doubt that parishioners will rally once more to the cause now, and in the years ahead. I would like to thank those parishioners who have contacted me with promises of financial help. A passionate appeal is made to the many, sadly, some of whom are young workers who, perhaps, could and don’t contribute, to assist their fellow parishioners by giving a little to the weekly collections and therefore making the burden that little bit lighter for all. We also appeal to former parishioners living in other parishes or abroad.

The work began on 8th June and will take ten weeks to complete. During that time the church will be closed. The weekend masses will be celebrated in St. Colman’s Bann Primary School and the weekday masses in the Den. Funerals and Baptisms will be celebrated in the Clare and Gilford.

Let us proceed with faith and hope assisted by the prayers of past generations who lived through very difficult times. Thank you.

Gerald Powell

Parish Priest

28 February 2009