Our country and our world has many iconic buildings full of history and memories. In the village of Ballyduff Lower, the stunning St. Nicholas’ Church has stood proud watching over its parishioners for over 203 years. This church has been a beacon of light for many generations and a place of celebrating the many happy occasions of life, while also being a place where we gather together to bid a loved one farewell. The church gives a sense of belonging and its open door is a welcome to simply go inside and sit in quiet peaceful thoughts.
We all have our own personal memories of this church and throughout my life it has played a very important part in my upbringing and remains a very important place to me. As a baby my parents brought me there to be baptised, and this gave me a great foundation and to this day my faith and my great love for this church remain deep in my heart. I celebrated my First Holy Communion, Confirmation, my marriage, baptism of my two children, attended my first ordination and have mourned and grieved for many family members and many wonderful parishioners who gave so much to church life. Many of you reading this will have the same experiences that I have had and whether you still live in the area or have moved away, your memories remain of a church that stands tall and proud watching over its people.
Our church now needs us, and we as a parish will come together to ensure it is given the attention it needs. Following a detailed architectural report by Mr. Kevin Ryan of the Society of Chartered Surveyors we have learned that the building is in need of critical restoration work. The work is essential to manage the dampness and the further deterioration of the church. If this work is not carried out, the building will fall into a permanent state of dereliction and decay.
These works will need to be financed, and we as a community must join together and make a commitment to support the cause whatever way we can. A committee has been formed, and they are asking everyone living in the parish or those who have ever had a connection with the parish to pledge their support to this project. There are many ways to donate, and the bank details are given below. If you would rather not donate through the bank, please contact any of the committee or put your donation in an envelope marked “Church Renovation Fund” and place it in the weekly collection basket or drop it into the sacristy and it will be passed on for you. Many people have contacted the committee to ask what type of donation is asked for. The simple answer is that every donation will be greatly appreciated, but if each household were to contribute €750 over 3 years, which is €250 per year or €5 per week by standing order, it would make this project very doable.
Our church has never been left wanting by its people. We take great pride in its history and its future. We marvel at its high steeple, glorious stained-glass windows, beautiful altar and tabernacle. We smile at the memories we shared there, good and bad, we take comfort in the peace and tranquillity we find inside its walls and find great friendship and togetherness in our sense of parish. Let us all work together to ensure our beautiful church receives the care and attention it deserves.
St Nicholas Church Renovation Committee:
Chairman: John O’Leary
Secretary: Celia Doyle
Maurice Doyle and Tom Whelan
