Shankill Parish Church
The "Big Church" as Shankill is known locally, is the largest parish church in Ireland, serving some 1400 families. The original church was founded on Oxford Island (approx 5 miles from present site) in 1411. With the arrival of John Brownlow into the area in 1609, the nucleus of the town of Lurgan was established and a new church was built in 1609 on a new site (approx 1 mile from present site). A new church became necessary in the early 18th Century and a fund was commenced to build on the green of Lurgan. This church was consecrated in 1725, a steeple was added in 1736 and 20 years later this was topped by a spire. In 1829 more seating was needed and 20 years later a gallery was erected in the south transcept.
In 1859 the building was taken down and replaced with the current church structure. The foundation stone for this building was laid in 1861 and the church was consecrated and dedicated as 'Christ Church' in 1863. Galleries were built on 3 sides. As it stands today, the church seats 2000 people and is the largest parish church in Ireland. Although the dedication was as Christ Church, it is now known as Christ the Redeemer.
Shankill parish once included the area now administered by St John's, Lurgan. It became independent in 1968, but some years earlier the expansion of Lurgan necessitated the building of another church/hall on the Banbridge Road. This was Brownlow Hall, dedicated in the name of St Andrew and was opened in 1963. This building was replaced by the Jethro Centre in 2005.
The building became too small and permission was granted by the Irish Parliament to build a church on the present site, known as the green of Lurgan. Shankill Parish Church was completed and consecrated in 1725. The "Big Church" as Shankill is known locally, is the largest parish church in Ireland, serving some 1400 families.
Many thanks is given to Shankill Parish Select Vestry for granting permission for the placing of this cache.
The Cache is a magnetic nano.