Funding boost of almost £1million for local church

A CHURCH community in Newtownstewart has received a massive funding boost to the tune of almost £1million.

St Eugene’s Church, Glenock, was awarded a total of £812,575 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, monies which will contribute to the restoration of the church building as well as exploring and celebrating its heritage.

Built in 1785, the listed St Eugene’s Church is one of the oldest churches in the Derry Diocese.

“We are delighted to have secured funding towards the restoration of Glenock Church and associated heritage projects,” a spokesperson for the Newtownstewart Heritage Group said on Thursday.

“There are also plans for tradespeople to gain vital skills in the often-complicated business of restoring historic landmarks.

“The funding builds on a very successful event, ‘Bridging the Years’, hosted by the church last June.

“The event encouraged the volunteer group to continue to work to secure funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to raise awareness of the heritage around the town and help us restore Glenock Church.”

Named after Eugene (later a saint) who founded a monastery in the sixth century, St Eugene’s is believed to have been the first Catholic Church in the diocese to have its bell toll after the relaxation of the penal laws.

The heritage group spokesperson continued, “Getting the grant is not the end of the story. The group still needs assistance in many ways.

“This includes everything from much-appreciated ongoing financial support to helping the project by attending future events and activities, providing material of historical interest, and supporting our community in making Newtownstewart a renewed place of historical interest and an even better place to live in and enjoy.”

The restoration work at the church will include essential works to the roof, electrics, and the renewal of the fabric of the building.

The heritage group also highlighted that the cost for the restoration of the building will be compounded by its listed building status, and that the construction project is to be tendered via a select tender process under the direction of a team of professional advisers.

The spokesperson for the Heritage Group further explained, “Through this procurement process, a contractor will be appointed who will be responsible for assigning a team of workers and sub-contractors to the project.

“Job opportunities may, in due course be sought via that company.

“There will be apprenticeship opportunities at South West College for those interested in learning traditional heritage construction skills and these will be advertised by the college in due course.

“Similarly, there will also be opportunities for training in tour guiding and digital skills.”

Newtownstewart parish priest Fr Roland Colhoun said that the church community is now ‘looking forward’ to making a start on this exciting journey.

He said, “We thank God, our parishioners, and our supporters and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for our success to date.

“We look forward to making a start on this exciting journey together.

“Our forefathers, in often very challenging times, gifted us a legacy at Glenock Church and we have a moral obligation to preserve this historical and beautiful place that our ancestors have provided.”

Northern Ireland director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund Dr Paul Mullan said they were ‘thrilled’ to support the St Columb’s Diocesan Trust and the Friends of Glenock in exploring the heritage of Newtownstewart and its surrounding areas.

Dr Mullan said, “Thanks to the National Lottery players, this project will strengthen the community by helping local people better understand their heritage and history.

“This area of West Tyrone is the home to fascinating heritage and we know it is a great way of bringing people together and creating a sense of pride of place, that in turn can deliver wider economic benefits.”