CULTRA, HOLYWOOD, CO.DOWN BT18 OEU, NORTHERN IRELAND, TEL +44 (0)28 9042 8428
Collections & Research --» Folk Collections --» Town Buildings --»
St JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
Original location: Drumcree, Portadown, County Armagh
When the Catholic church of St John the Baptist was built in 1783 the Penal Laws which discriminated against all other religious denominations (particularly Catholics and Presbyterians) in favour of the Established Church, the Church of Ireland, were being relaxed, although many were, at least technically, still in force.
The church's simple 'barn' layout, an architectural style also favoured by Presbyterians at this time, is indicative of the caution felt as religious restrictions began to fall into abeyance, and the fear that they could be reinstated at any time. This rural church was built to accommodate 2000 worshippers though parish records indicate an average attendance of about 1500 people.
The positioning of the altar on the long wall was a common feature. It gave practically everyone in the church a good view of the Mass being celebrated and a closeness to this central element of worship not found in larger churches of more traditional design built after Catholic Emancipation was achieved in 1829.
select this link to go to the National Museums of Northern Ireland homepage
select this link to go to the Ulster Museum website
select this link to go to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum website
select this link to go to the Ulster American Folk Park website
select this link to go to the Armagh County Museum website
select this link to go to the W5 Online website
select this link for details about how to find us
X2 Flight Games
Titanic - Built in Belfast
The spirit of flight
select this link to find out how to support us
Level Triple-A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
(External)Valid XHTML 1.0!
(External)Valid CSS!
(External) Website development by Tibus Belfast