When the institutional link was broken between the Church of Ireland and the State in 1869, the Church of Ireland received a substantial dowry and embarked upon a substantial building programme. St Patrick’s in Coleraine was rebuilt soon afterwards with a very elegant tower in a detailed gothic style. The site, however, is very ancient. By tradition it is associated with the saint himself who is supposed to have founded a church on the north bank of the Bann. Foundations of a probable fourteenth century church were discovered during renovations in 1994. The foundations of an earlier church were reputedly discovered in the 1880's extending beyond the present chancel.
RSS Feed
