1860 – Holy Trinity Church, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone

Architect: J.J. McCarthy

Irish Builder and Engineer

“This building — of which we give an illustration — was consecrated on the 3rd ult by the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon. The plan is a parallelogram, and combines all the requisite arrangements for a symmetrical and commodious parish church. It consists of nave, 80 feet by 25 feet; aisles, 80 feet by 14 feet, separated from nave by an arcade of pointed arches, 23 feet 6 inches, to soffets, and springing from circular shafts; chancel, 32 feet deep; tower, 12 feet 6 inches square; chapels of the Blessed Sacrament and Blessed Virgin, sacristy, and vestry. The interior is lighted by aisle and clerestory two-light traceried windows, three-light ditto in the side chapels, and a five-light in the chancel, filled with stained glass, by Messrs. Hardman, mediaeval artists, of Birmingham and Dublin — the upper compartments containing symbols of the Blessed Trinity, and forming a memorial of the late Rev. Canon M’Conville; and the lower displaying figures of St. Patrick and canonized bishops of the diocese.

The roofs are of open timber-work, stained and varnished, arched ribs being introduced over nave. The height to wall plate of nave is 36 feet; to ridge, 57 feet 6 inches; and to wall plate of aisles, 16 feet 6 inches. The chief entrance is through a deeply-recessed and moulded arched doorway in the tower, which is placed central on west elevation, and will, with the spire (when completed), attain a height of 175 feet. The label moulding of this door is supported on two corbel heads, representing St. Patrick and St. Athanasius.

An inner porch of massive wood-work protects the interior of the church from draughts, and forms the groundwork of a beautiful organ gallery. The high altar is of Caen stone, by Mr. Lane, of Dublin and Birmingham. It is a magnificent work of art, with a frontal consisting of three panels, en closing sculptured representations, in bold relief, of the Last Supper of our Lord (the institution of the sacrifice of the New Law) and the typical sacrifices of Melchizedeck and Abel. The panels are separated by shafts of highly-polished coloured marble, with moulded bases and foliage capitals. The interior fixed carvings are by Messrs. Purdy and Outhwaite, of Dublin. Mr. J.J. M‘Carthy, A.R.H.A., was the architect, and Messrs. Johnson (M. D.) and Charles, the contractors.”