Sunday, October 07, 2012

Heritage groups hail reopening of historic church as place of worship

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The reopening last Monday night of a historic Limerick church has been hailed by heritage groups.

The old Jesuit church in the Crescent was recently purchased for €700,000 by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, who celebrate the Latin rite Mass.

It was closed six years ago and sold to a Galway developer for €4.25m and plans were drawn up to transform the church into an entertainment centre. But the property crash saw the building back on the market.

Last Monday night, hundreds returned to the church for benediction of the blessed sacrament.

Damien Cassidy of the National Construction and Heritage Group said Limerick has shown the way in returning the church to a place of worship. "We have seen many fine churches around the country turned into pubs and places of entertainment," he said.

"Limerick is now leading the way in a refreshing way by respecting the wishes of the people who over the decades paid to upkeep the church."

Fr Wulfran Lebocq, head of the Limerick congregation of the Institute of Christ the King, said they have been overwhelmed at the welcome in Limerick.

"Last Wednesday, more than 70 people, many of them teenagers, joined us in a big clean-up of the church. It was great to see so many people gather again in the church."

He said the order has received pews from the old Franciscan church in Henry St.

"Today brings us great joy that this beautiful and historic church will be open again for the people of Limerick. We also hope and pray it being joy to the people of the city who we know have a very special place for this church."

Seven priests and two brothers from the order moved to Limerick last December. One of the brothers, Ben McEvilly, 37, from Wales said: "We have a very big task here, but we are managing it and enjoying it. We had to do a lot of repair work to the roof of the church, but we have got great help."

It is hoped the first Latin rite Mass at the church will be held in December.