History of Moira Parish

History of Moira Parish

The Parish, which was originally part of Magheralin Parish, was established in 1721; prior to this, people had met in the local school for worship. A portion of land opposite Moira Castle was given by the Hill family, later the Marquises of Downshire, as the site for the Church. The construction work began in 1722, with the Rawdon family making a significant contribution towards the cost. The church was consecrated the following year.

The architectural lines of the church blend with the 18th century houses of Moira from which it stands apart. The Georgian elegance of the Church is enhanced by the tall copper-clad spire, which replaced the original slate steeple, which was blown down in a freak storm in 1884. Of interest within, is the ancient reredos with the creed inscribed in gold letters on Irish linen; the inner west door and communion rails are said to have come from the Castle.

In the 1950s, the possibility of a parochial meeting place was investigated, as needs of various parochial organisations grew. Several options were considered, and the location of the Parochial Hall was finalised in 1954, when Mr W. Martin donated land in the centre of the village. Work, however, did not begin until 1960. The Parochial Hall was officially opened on 24th June 1961.

In February 1998, a car bomb caused significant structural damage to the Parochial Hall and it was subsequently demolished. Much thought was put into the replacement as the needs of the church had outgrown the original building. The new Parish Centre, greatly enlarged to enable the church to continue to flourish and develop, was opened on 26th October 2002.