Newtownards Historical Series #7 St Pat's Chapel Traditional Cache

Father Patrick Curran was brought to the parish in 1811 to tutor the family of Lord Londonderry. He used his influence to obtain a site for a chapel in Ann Street. A church was erected in 1815 at a cost of £80 and paid for by public subscription The priest 1814-1817 was Rev. Hugh Smith then Rev. Bernard Magee by 1822 the priest was Rev. Arthur McGlew and Rev. Patrick Curoe in 1831-1832. In 1831 there were 236 Catholics in Newtownards which quickly rose to 574. The chapel was described in 1836 as a small, plain building 40 by 20 feet and capable of holding 160 with an average attendance of 60 people. A new church was built in 1845 to accommodate the larger congregation by Rev William McLea/McAlea (1842-1856). It was used until 1877 & finally demolished in 1994. The church in North Street was built in 1875-1877 and cost around £4000. Lady Londonderry had converted to Catholicism in 1855 and paid for all construction and fitting out.