The History of Cootehall Church

 

The parish church is situated in the village of Cootehall. The site is about half an acre in size and is enclosed by a boundary wall 5 to 6 feet high. It replaced a thatched house, which served as a church. The present church is in the shape of a crucifix and is very large. Rev. Patrick O' Gara P.P made the first preparation for the building of the church. It was erected in the year 1845 by Rev. Bartholomew Hester P.P.. Rev. P.H. Kelly put in the ceiling. In 1932 Rev. Tom Flanagan P.P renovated it. He purchased the present benches and planted trees in the grounds.

In 1982 Fr. Harte erected the front porch in the presbytery and had the house redecorated and replastered.

Very Rev. Bartholomew Hester P.P. (1845-1880) was the longest serving P.P. in our parish. He was P.P. for 35 years. He was P.P. of Ardcarne first and lived in Crossna. Gillespie's farm was bought in 1830 and Mount Prospect house was built by the Parish priest as a presbytery. Fr. Hester lived there . A paved path was made up the hill at the back of the house. The path was called the priest' s path and he walked up this path on sunny days reading his office. In very hot summers the track of this path can still be seen. The parish of Ardcarne and Tumna were joined and he erected Cootehall church in 1845. In 1852 he erected the baptismal font in Crossna church. When the presbytery in Cootehall was finished he moved here to live. What is now known as Gillespie's was then sold to Mr. James Gillespie, David's grandfather for £300. There was an oratory in that house where Fr Hester read mass.