Saint John’s was the first post-reformation Catholic Church built in Strabane. It is shown on the Griffith’s Valuation Map c1850.
The land contains approximately five acres and costs £1,100. Quote from Mr Curlyhill: – This location had been known as “Snodgrass” or “Buchanan’s Field”.
Most Rev Dr O’Doherty, Lord Bishop of Derry lays foundation stone on 9 November 1890.
Dedicated on the 15 Sept by the Most Rev. Dr. O’Doherty, Lord Bishop of Derry. Cardinal Logue, The Catholic Primate of All Ireland attends the ceremony. The total cost of building with furnishings was £18,000. The sum was paid in full by the date of the dedication; with enough money left over to pay for the construction of the Parochial House.
On the 9th January the first ever midnight mass was celebrated in the new church and was held at 12:00 o’clock to mark the beginning of the new century.
The people from the parish of Camus & Clonleigh went on the pilgrimage which was led by the Archbishop of Armagh. Most Rev. Dr. O’Donnell.
It was blessed on Sunday 29th October 1950 by his Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Neil Farren, Bishop of Derry.
Marian Year was celebrated internationally by the Catholic Church in 1954. On the 15th September 1954 the church was consecrated to the ‘Blessed Mother’ and made ‘a tabernacle on earth to her Divine Son’
The altar rails made by James Pearse were removed during the 1970s.
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