CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER


CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER – 1911 The ever increasing congregations that attended the temporary church called for the erection of a larger and permanent structure. Once more J.J. McDonnell was chosen as architect and asked to design a church of Romanesque style of much the same size as the church of Mount St. Alphonsus in Limerick. Some of the local clergy objected to the building of such a large church. The Bishop finally approved a plan which reduced the length by twenty feet and changed the style from Romanesque to Gothic. The contract was given to the Naughton brothers, Ambrose and Daniel, of Randalstown. They agreed to build the church in two years for Ł20,000. In the event it took three years at a cost of Ł32,000. Dedication of church. On Rosary Sunday, October 4th 1908, the foundation stone was laid by the newly ordained Bishop of the diocese, Dr.. John Tohill. Scenes of great enthusiasm marked the occasion. After Benediction from an outdoor altar the people sang 'God Bless our Pope' with great fervour, the chorus being taken up on the street outside and from the house tops near the church. Before the church was finished both Naughton Brothers died. Hence the delay in completing the contract. On Rosary Sunday October 1st 1911, Bishop Tohill presided at Solemn Mass and dedicated the new temple to the Lord. In his sermon he expressed his confidence that the spiritual glory of the ancient Clonard would be revived in the new one, which would continue Christ's work of teaching, sanctifying and directing souls. Belfast Catholics were proud of the new church. Crowds visited it daily, even sick and invalids dragged themselves from their beds to feast their eyes on its beauty.
	The church and its furnishings The church of the Most Holy Redeemer is designed in early French Gothic. It consists of nave and aisles with shallow transepts and semi-circular apse and side chapels. Underneath the sanctuary is the crypt. The nave is 151 feet long and 70 feet wide. The height from nave floor to the apex of the barrel-vault above is 60 feet. The barrel – vaulted roof springs from the side – walls at a level of 48 feet.

The BELFRY rises to a height of 120 feet. It contains a bell of weight 42% cwts., which was blessed by Bishop Tohill on July 17th 1910. Its ringing for the first time on July 18th was an occasion of great joy to the local Catholics. The bell was originally swung, now it is struck. Apart from its furnishings the church is noted for its majestic High Altar, the floors of its sanctuary laid with marble slabs in geometrical patterns and approached from the nave by steps of Sicilian marble, the rose-window twenty-two feet in diameter that crowns the entrance doors, the arcade of red granite columns with marble bases and caps of Portland stone. One should mention also the rich mosaic of Gabriel Loire of Chartres entitled, "The story of the Redemption in mosaics from the Old and New Testaments", which is along the central elevation of the nave. It was executed during 1960 – 1961 and is unfortunately little appreciated and understood.