KILSHANROE CHURCH BLESSED

LEINSTER LEADER 28 JUNE 1975

KILSHANROE CHURCH BLESSED

Kilshanroe new church, The Church of the Holy Family, was opened and blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Lennon, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, on Sunday.

The building was full for the occasion and hundreds of people who could not get in heard concelebrated Mass relayed by loudspeakers.

The new church is a modern Bantile-built structure beside the National School and has seating for 300 people arranged in a semi-circle around the altar.

The contract price for the red brick building was £20,000, most of which has been raised through planned giving by the parishioners who donated a fixed amount of their income each week.

Money was raised also from the annual Trinity Sunday field day and an auction in October. The names of all the subscribers are written in a “golden book” which is left in the church.

Many people outside the parish also made donations, particularly emigrants in Britain. The fund-raising has been going on for over two years and the committee hopes to clear the debt within another three years.

Oil-fired central heating has been installed and the floor covering consists of carpet squares. The grounds were reseeded and landscaped by members of the committee voluntarily.

The old church, which is over 200 years old, will be demolished and parts of it, such as the slates and timber will be sold.

To celebrate the opening of their new church and help their funds the committee are running four dances in a marquee beside the new church. The tent was also used for a reception after the opening on Sunday afternoon.

Re-typed by Mary Murphy