The
impressive building is the largest church in Athlone at
220ft long and stands on a conspicious site that dominates
the western side of Athlone, dwarfing the old castle on
the opposite side of the market square. The church (often
mistaken for a cathedral) was opened in 1937. It was designed
by the architect Ralph Byrne who also designed Mullingar
and Cavan cathedrals.
The site for the church was formerly part of the military
barracks and
contained the garrison chapel, main gate and other buildings.
The chapel was dismantled and re-erected at Creagh near
Ballinasloe and the main gate was relocated to the Accommodation
Road. That the site was given up by the military authorities
and such a grandiose building erected was mainly through
the efforts of a remarkable man, Canon John Crowe (1883-1955)
who is still remembered with great affection by many of
the older generation in Athlone.
|
|
The main façade has a tall Doric porch carried by four
columns of Portland stone, (the columns are continued to the
side elevations of the church). Above this large round-headed
window inset into the gable and crowned by a statue of the pediment.
Twin campanili that rise to a height of 126ft flank the front.
The massive bowl-shaped dome is early twentieth century in character
and it's a style much used by the English architect Sir Edwin
Lutyens (the dome is very similar to the one this architect
designed for Liverpool Catholic Cathedral which was never built).
The architecture in St. Peters is a mixture of baroque and classical
and despite it's eclecticism it is a beautiful church, all the
more so for not having any of its fittings removed.
Interior is large and most impressive and seems to be always
full of light even on the darkest days of winter. The church
consists of three large vaulted cells each framed by side chapels
with the great baldacchino carried over the central cell. The
white marble high alter is framed by a baldacchino carried on
twisted columns of beautiful red and while marble. The side
chapels are adorned with blue and white della-robbia style roundels.
The stained-glass windows in the main body of the church are
by the Harry Clarke Studios and are very handsome (the first
window on the left hand side is dedicated to St. Patrick and
is almost jewel like in appearance). The window in the baptistery
is by Early of Dublin and in the priests' sacristy is one by
Sara Purser. The window in the boys' sacristy is also by the
face of the shepherd holding the crook is Dean Crowe and the
other faces of the people associated with the building of the
church.
Outside on the west side of the church are the graves of the
priests who served Ss Peter and Paul's including its founder.
Many of the older graves are from the old penal day parish church
in Chapel Lane (now the Dean Crowe Theatre) and were re-interned
when the new church was built.
This is a beautiful reproduction of Michelangelo's Pieta. He
carved the masterpiece from a single slab of marble. It is worth
visiting the Church of Ss Peter & Paul's to view this wonderful
reproduction. Photo ©
courtesy of Lawrence O'Neill.
Athlone Architectural Heritage Group would like to thank Donal
O'Brien, author of 'Athlone, a visitor's guide' © for his
kind permission to use above content.
Back
|
