The new church, which is classical in its character and has been designed to accommodate 750 persons in the nave and gallery, replaces a building which was erected in 1801 by the Rev. Brian Kelly. It was a day of justifiable rejoicing for the people of the parish and for their beloved pastor, the Very Rev. J. Roddy, P.P. under whose guidance the work has been carried out. The huge task of providing a fitting place of worship for the people of the ancient and historic parish was brought to a successful conclusion under his care and he has provided for then a beautiful edifice of which they can be justly proud.

The ceremony of dedication commenced by his Lordship, accompanied by a number of clergy blessing the building. First they walked round the outside and blessed it , and then a similar ceremony was performed inside.

Solemn High Mass

At twelve noon the first Mass, a Solemn High Mass was celebrated int he new church by Rev. T.F. Quigley, C.C. Gleann. The deacon was Rev. P. Cryan, M.A. Summerhill College, Sligo; subdeacon, Rev. T. Moran, do. The masters of ceremonies were Dr. McGauran, Summerhill College, Sligo and Rev. M.Kilbride, C.C. Sooey.

His Lordship Most Rev Dr. Doorly presided at the Mass and the assistants at the Throne were - Very Rev. J. Canon Feeley, Adm V.F. St. Mary's Sligo and Very Rev. B. Canon Currid, P.P. Strokestown

In the sanctuary were Right Rev. Mgr T.H. Cummins, P.P. Dean of Elphin, Roscommon and Venerable Archdeacon J. Crowe, P.P. Athlone.

Among the clergy in the choir were - Very Rev. P.J. Casey, President Summerhill college; Rev. V. Hanly, S.T.L. Vice President do; Very Rev. J.W. Stephens, O.P. Prior Holy Cross, Sligo; Very Rev.J. Lennon, Adm, Ballinafad; Very Rev M. Canon Brennan, P.P.Ahaseragh; Very Rev. B.Canon Kelly, P.P. Knockcroghery; Very Rev. H. Lynch, P.P. Ballinagar; Rev J. Conway, Summerhill College; Rev. J. Kereigan, do; Rev. J. Tully, C.C.St. Marys, Sligo; Rev. Father Keville, C.C. Ballintogher; Rev. Dr. Stenson, C.C. Collooney; Rev. J.Foye, C.C. Collooney;Rev J. Donnellan, C.C. Ballyrush; Rev C. Ward, C.C. Dangan.

The Papal Blessing and a special indulgence was imparted by Most Rev. Dr. Doorly to all those present.

Dedication Sermon

The special dedication sermon was preached by the Very Rev. j. Mc Carthy, B.A. B.C.L. D.D. Professor, St. Patrick's College Maynooth, who said it was not merely a routine administrative act that brought them all there that day, bur they had come to witness the solemn ritual of the dedication of that beautiful building for Divine Worship. It was now a house of God......

While they all rejoiced at the ceremony that had been held that day , none would have such feelings of joy and pride as the people of that historic parish in the diocese the history of which dated back to the dawn of Christianity in Ireland. The first Bishop of the diocese of Elphin, St. Asicus, had been an apostle of St. Patrick's and fifteen centuries had passed since Ireland's great apostle had set alight the torch of Faith in their midst. That time had passed since he had established the See of Elphin and walked across the mountains to establish the church at Townagh, the ruins of which were still standing. The heart of the Gael responded quickly to the call of the Carpenter of Nazareth and soon monasteries, chapels and convents were erected everywhere. They had only to look around them to see the truth of that fact. But then the night of persecution came and the might of an empire stood against the Church in Ireland. They all knew the story of Ireland's persecution; there was a noose for the priest, a whip for the people; yet their forefathers clung to the Cross. When the hand of the desecrator passed their churches, they still had the sacrifice of the Mass. But then they had it in the lonely hillside and valleys, as far as possible from the spies of the persecutors. They had the fugitive priest, an improvised altar, and their forefathers gathered around while the Sacrifice of Calvary was re-enacted on a lonely Irish hillside. What Faith, what wonderful undying faith and love filled the hearts of their ancestors in that long and seemingly unending night of terror and persecution. That night has passed but it had left its impression to be found on every hill-top in Eire. No longer need one risk on's life to hear the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. While many false gods held sway in many countries at the present time, here at home in Ireland they had complete religious freedom.

In 1801, 140 years ago, and long before Catholic Emancipation, the forefathers of the people of Riverstown led by Father Brian O Kelly had secured a site and built the old Church which had served the people of the parish for such a long time. Today under the leadership of another zealous pastor, they had built that beautiful house for God. The church would stand as a monument to the faith and zeal of both priest and people. He was sure he was expressing the feelings of all present when he heartily congratulated Fr. Roddy on the great work he had accomplished. Fr. Roddy congratulated Very Rev. Dr Mc Carthy on the magnificent discourse he had given them that day, and it was just one which would be expected from such a distinguished theologian. Fr. Roddy recalled that on Christmas Day, 1841, just a hundred years ago, the gallery int he old church fell and forty people were injured, some seriously and were brought to Sligo for medical treatment.

Architects and Contractors thanked.

Fr. Roddy said that when he had discussed the building of the Church with his Lordship he had told him to get Mr. Byrne as architect and he would get a good church. Fr. Roddy also congratulated the contractors, Creedon brothers and the foreman, Mr McGuire, and the plastering foreman, Mr Beirne. He wished to thank every man who had worked on the job.

Very Rev.Canon Currid proposed the toast of the visitors and all those who had contributed to the erection of the church, and thanked them all very sincerely for their generosity.

Mr. D.M. hanley returned thanks and said they had all been delighted to assist Fr. Roddy in any way they could to carry out the work he had undertaken.

To mark the occasion of the dedication ceremony, the Architects, Messrs. William H Byrne & Son, Dublin, presented his Lordship with a gold key.

The Contractors for the work are Messrs. Creedon Bros. Ltd., Charlemont Bridge, Dublin. The quantity surveyors are Messrs Morris & Kavanagh, 68, Harcourt St. Dublin and the architects, Messrs William H Byrne & Son, Dublin. The mosaic work was carried out by Messrs J.J. O'Hara, Lincoln Place, Dublin, and the plastering by Mr. M. Creedon, Richmond Place, Dublin. The electrical work was carried ou by Messrs Clancy of Limerick, under the supervision of Messrs J.P. Tierney and Co. Consulting Engineers, 44 Kildare Street, Dublin and Messrs John Smyth & Son, Wicklow Street, Dublin, made and supplied the electrical fittings.

Messrs Hearne & Co. Ltd., Waterford supplied the seats, and Messrs Bull Ltd., Dublin the vestment press.

The windows were supplied and erected by Mr Christopher Campbell of Fairview, Dublin. The copper work was carried out by Messrs Dockrell Sons & Co Ltd., Dublin.

On entering the church through the nearly constructed and tiled porches one's eyes rest at once with admiration on the sanctuary, which is spacious and sends one's thoughts flying heavenwards. The high altar is strictly rubrical in design and is of Italian white marble with four panels of rich Connemara green.

On the front panel of the high altar a magnificent carving in marble of the Last Supper. This we are proud to say is the work of a Dublin artist, and the execution is equal to that of the great artists of the past. The floors of the sanctuary, the main passages, in the body of the church, and the baptistry are all of beautiful mosaic.

In the transcepts are two very fine altars of Connemara marble, one of the Blessed Virgin ane the other of St. Joseph.

The confessionals are of American oak and the benches of pitch pine.

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