The iconic St Aengus’ Church in Burt is preparing to mark a historic milestone – The Liam McCormick-designed church, voted “Building of the Century” at the turn of the Millennium is celebrating its Golden Jubilee, on June 25.
This special occasion will begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 3.00 pm, concelebrated by The Most Reverend Donal McKeown DD, Bishop of Derry.
Fr Neil McGoldrick PP and Fr Fintan Diggins CC as well as several priests who have previously served in the Fahan, Inch and Burt Parish will join Bishop McKeown.
After Mass, refreshments will be served in the nearby St Mary’s Hall and everyone is invited to come along!
A commemorative book, titled “The Church of St Aengus, Burt, Co Donegal: Celebrating half a century (1967 – 2017)” has been produced and will be on sale immediately after the Celebration Mass and also at the reception in St Mary’s Hall. Local parishioners, including some now living elsewhere, have contributed articles and memories from the last half-century. The book also contains photographic snapshots of the life and times of St Aengus Church.
The Church of St Aengus in Burt was consecrated on June 25, 1967. It replaced the post-Penal church in Moness, which had fallen into disrepair and was architect, Liam McCormick’s fourth Donegal church.
In her indispensable handbook “Liam McCormick Seven Donegal Churches: Burt”, Carole Pollard described it as his ‘most famous building’ and the site he selected as ‘magnificent’.
Ms Pollard, President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) continued: “There is no doubt that Grianán is the inspiration behind the circular form of the church at Burt. The idea of a circular church was radical and it had not been attempted in Ireland before.
“The design concept for Burt precedes the publication of the Vatican II document “Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy” in December 1963, but McCormick’s familiarity with church-design development in Europe prior to Vatican II gave him the confidence to be sure it could be successful.
“McCormick was able to convince [Bishop Farren] that he had the liturgical knowledge and architectural skills to make the circular plan work.
“The Church at Burt nestles gently into the site, its natural stone walls and copper roof blending into the colours of the surrounding landscapes,” added Ms Pollard.
Liam McCormick won the RIAI Gold Medal (1965-67) for The Church of St Aengus in Burt.
The poetic citation of the Gold Medal jury said: “It is not often a building is found, such as this little country church, which speaks so clearly of the loving care which has been lavished on it by architect, builder, client, artists, craftsmen and everyone connected with it.
“This church is as perfect an example of integration with its magnificent site as it is, probably, possible to achieve. The romantic relationships of form and material to the great prehistoric fort overhead, the delicate reflection of the spiky silhouette of the nearby Presbyterian and the spire of the Church of Ireland churches, and the echo of the swaying curves of the hills and sea might easily have degenerated into a sentimental and false stage setting. In fact, the design has been conceived and executed with such sensitivity, imagination and skill that this weakness has been completely avoided.
“The work of the artists, Helen Moloney, Imogen Stuart and Oisín Kelly who contributed stained glass, metalwork, carving and tapestry, is a distinctive and pleasing feature of the building and has been excellently co-ordinated by the architect.”
The St Aengus’ Golden Jubilee Committee would like to invite everyone to our Mass of Celebration on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at 3pm.
