It doesn’t seem that Drumcree can claim direct links with Saint Patrick. But before we leave the early history, I think it is appropriate to state that a Patrician veneration did develop. In the beginnings of Christianity in Ireland, pagan places of worship such as wells and groves, were blessed and became Monastic and Pilgrimage sites. We may have one of these Pilgrimage sites in Saint Patrick’s Well in Mahon. It is not possible to be sure whether it dates back a long time or whether it developed with the acquisition of a relic of Saint Patrick.

Sarah Buckworth writing in 1687 from Portadown relates that there was a stone at Mahon, near that town, which was called Saint Patrick’s Stone, and here on the 17th March the Catholics of the district assembled to worship the fingernails of Saint Patrick, which were given by Art Edmond Boy Magines to Bryan Roe McCann who buried them there. The Shrine of Saint Patrick’s Hand, the style of which probably dates back to the fifteenth century, was first kept by the Magennis family. This may add to the credulity of the story. Saint Patrick’s Stones were remembered in Mahon in the eighteenth century. There is a reference in 1740 in the will of Meredith Workman of Portadown who desired that he should “be buried behind his malt kin where Saint Patrick’s Stones are placed.” Saint Patrick’s Well, former place of Pilgrimage, survives in a field in front of Mahon’s House.

The Barony of Oneilland, in which the Parish of Drumcree is situated, is probably named from the Uí Nialláin, a ruling family who gave their name to the territory subject to them. The rise to power of the Uí Néill who pushed the Ulaidh to the north-east meant the formation of a confederation of the states called the Airgialla ‘those who give hostages’. They were vassals of the Uí Néíll. This is the picture before the Norman invasion. The centre of the eastern group in the federation was Armagh. To it, the Ui Nialláin family group and their neighbours, the Uí Breasail and Uí Echdach supplied many kings and monastic officials.

Saint Patrick set up an Episcopal church in Armagh. But in the next few centuries, monastic life so developed that the monasteries became the centres of ecclesiastical organisation. In Saint Patrick’s own time, many of his new converts were drawn to the ascetic religious life. He says in his confession:-

“the sons of the Scots and the daughters of the chieftains are seen to become monks and virgins of Christ.” By the sixth century, monasteries dotted the countryside. People entered the monasteries for a religious reason, to pray in God’s presence, to worship in the community. But their development also meant that they sometimes became centres for a kin group and fulfilled functions of farming, fosterage, education, learning, hospitality, even guarding their rights to the point of going to war like their aristocratic counterparts.  They superseded the diocesan Bishops. Bishops continued to ordain and perform other sacramental functions, but jurisdiction passed on to the abbots. Occasionally, the abbots were Bishops and sometimes they were laymen. However, it was the monastic church which looked after the pastoral care of the laity – baptising, preaching, saying Mass.

There was no monastery in Drumcree but the ruling family Uí Nialláin supplied Bishops and monastic officials to Armagh and to the neighbouring monastery of Kilmore. The monastery is even called Cill Mhér Uí Nialláin in the Annals of Ulster. A few headlines from the annals illustrate some of the monastic characteristics that have been mentioned. It was founded by Saint Mochta and there are indications that Saint Aidan was patron in its early life. The reference to Saint Aidan, however, may refer to Kilmore, Co. Monaghan. Other references in the annals call it Cell-mor-enir or –eimhir. The Abbot Comarpach died 750; Crunnmael bishop and abbot died 770; Flaitbertach, princeps, died 812; the erenagh was profaned and the vice-abbot, Dubhinnrecht was wounded by Leinstermen in 818; Bishop Dichuili died 871; battle of the plain of Cill-mor Ua-Nialláin in 1200; the place with its oratory was burned in 1150; Mael-Isu mac Gilla-Erain, erenagh of Cell mor Ua Nialláin and coarb designate of Patrick died 1200.

In the year 1777, Fr Richard Devin was Parish Priest of Drumcree. It was during his Pastorate, and probably in 1777, that the chapel of Drumcree was built. It was a simple rectangular building. The bell tower was added at a later date. It was probably thatched. An indenture still exists dated 26 April 1795, a conveyance of lease of land, half an acre, in Selsion from Michael Obins, Castle Obins, Armagh, to Rev. Richard Devin, Parish Priest, Parish of Drumcree, County Armagh. The lease is for 41 years, the rent 2/6 yearly.

We have to turn to Ordnance Survey Memoirs of 1835 to find the fullest early account of the two churches in Drumcree Parish, the Church of St John the Baptist Drumcree and Church of St Patrick in Portadown :-

“Drumcree R.C. Chapel situated in the townland of Selsion is a plain stone building roughcast and whitewashed. It is 63 feet long and 28 and a half broad. It was built in 1783, the cost not known. There were repairs done in 1831 which cost £90, raised by public subscription. There is accommodation for 2,000 persons and the general attendance is 1,500. The Priest of the Parish is Rev. James O’Neill who receives £100 salary. The interior of the chapel is plain; it has a mud floor. There is a large gallery. Over the altar is a painting if the Virgin and Child. At the East end is a wooden tablet on which is the following inscription:-

Sacred to the memory of Rev. John Coyne S.T.P. faithful pastor of Drumcree who departed his life A.D. 1803 aged 44. ‘Consumatus in brevi explevit tempora multa

Constant in Prayer, in meditation high

Removed from earth and tending to the sky

Wise gentle humble modest kind,

Grace in his speech and virtue in his mind.

Erected by his Reverend Brother Father Michael Coyne Ord. Praed. S.T.P. who also departed this life February 18 A.D. 1815. Aged 48.

Requiescant in pace. Amen.”

The New Church of St John the Baptist 

(The Church Near Completion)

Facts and Figures

In March 1974, Canon MacLarnon commissioned Mr Brian Gregory A.R.I.B.A and the late Mr Sean Tynan Q.S. to execute and price a Church for Drumcree to hold 1000 people. He asked that it be a square building with a diagonal interior arrangement and that it include a Children's Room, Meeting Room and Toilet facilities for the public. The organ, bell and stained glass of Old Drumcree were to be incorporated in the new Church.

In April, Mr Gregory presented a draft plan which Mr Tynan costed at £240 000 (and with the concurrence of the late Cardinal Conway) instructions were given to proceed with all speed to working drawings and specifications so that the job could go to tender as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Inflation was raging and when the plans were ready, the Quantity Surveyor's estimate was now £320 000! a "Crisis" Meeting was held in Ara Coeli and the decision was taken (1) to make certain economies and (2) to proceed with all speed.

The revised plans were ready in the summer of 1975 abd went out to public tender. The tender of Messrs Coary and Sons Ltd Dungannon at £285 000 was accepted. On 5th October, Messrs Coary, having completed the nearby St John's Primary School in a record twelve months, entered on the 3.5 acre site for the Church at the junction of the Garvaghy and Dungannon roads. Mr Coary assured Canon MacLarnon that the job would be complete in 24 Months and he has kept to his word.

It is useful to place on record the firms, surveyors and artists involved in the job:

• Messrs P. and B. Gregory, Belfast - Architects;
• Messrs J.A. Tynan (Principal Mr Jack Rooney Q.S.) - Quantity Surveyors;
• Messrs Henry Coary and Sons Ltd. - Main Contractors;
• Messrs Stanislaus Kenny, Dublin - Structural Consultants;
• Dr D. Lavelle and Associates, Holywood - Engineering Consultants;
• Mr Sylvester Heaney, Lurgan - Electrical Sub-Contractor;
• Messrs Bullock Bros., Dungannon - Heating and Plumbing;
• Messrs Caldermac Studios, Belfast - Stained Glass;
• Messrs Campbell Bros., Belfast - Glazing;
• Messrs Crittal McKinney, Belfast - Windows;
• Messrs Quality Wood Crafts, County Leitrim - Seating;
• Messrs Corcrain Carpets, Portadown - Sanctuary Carpet;
• Messrs Wells-Kennedy Ltd., Lisburn - Organ Builders;
• Mr Ray Carroll, Sculptor, Dublin - Design and Execution of Sanctuary and its furniture;
• Mr Christopher Ryan, Artist, Dublin - Design and Execution of the Stations of the Cross and of the Statue of the Madonna.

Description by the Architect

The new Church of St John the Baptist is on a site of 3.5 acres at the junction of the Portadown-Dungannon and the Drumcree Roads. The site which slopes down from the corner in a northerly direction is immediately adjacent to the building grounds and Cemetery of the old Church of St John the Baptist at Drumcree.

The Church is sited to take into account its setting at the main road junction. It is built in reinforced concrete and sand-cement bricks with a slender campanile linked to the main structure by the lower level narthex, forming the entrance. This campanile forms the main vertical feature in the building which has a horizontal emphasis, with its heavy ring-beams of  reinforced concrete with architectural accent on the main structural components, namely the heavy reinforced concrete beams and stanchions of the main frame. These are emphasised in the structure especially by contrast with the light tinted gloss of the clear-storey windows where the beams penetrate showing clearly the function of the building’s component parts.

The campanile of heavily-textured, chiselled concrete houses the bell. the plan form of the Church is square with the High Altar positioned in a corner of the square so that there is a strong diagonal emphasis and concentration on the Altar position and Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is spacious and raised 1’ 6’’ above the main Church floor level and has natural light by windows on the east and west sides and by roof light.
The Church contains a Reconciliation or Confessional Room and one other unit so arranged to be used in the normal way or as a smaller type second Confessional Room. There are also Priests’ and Boys’ Sacristy and stores. Toilet facilities have also been provided for the Public. There is also a Boiler House for the central heating plant.

Although the Church is of modern concept the cross-form of the main structural beams is strongly reminiscent of the Bascilican Roof shape. In a matter of detail great care has been taken to use elements from the old Church. The glass from the windows has been very carefully re-modelled and re-leaded and designed within a new leaded framework, thereby preserving the very rich and beautiful old glass for future generations.

Similarly also the Bell which served for many years in the old Church in Drumcree has been taken and re-used in the new Church. Also the brass candle-holders for the Sanctuary have been taken from the old Church and adopted for re-use.

The Church itself seats 1100 people. The Church site has been laid out giving access to the Car Park, provision for up to 300 cars and from this, main access to the Cemetery. Paved areas in the grounds around the Church have been provided, and in due course, there will be planting of shrubs and trees in these areas.

(Taken from "The Parish of Drumcree" Booklet - a Souvenir Publication on the occasion of the Solemn Dedication of the new Church of St John the Baptist on Sunday 16th October 1977)

When appointed to the Parish, Fr Sean Larkin P.P. soon came to realise that the Church of St John the Baptist was in need of repairs and refurbishment. The flat roof had begun to leak, the lighting and ceiling needed attention and the Sanctuary needed re-modelling. The decision was taken in 2003 to close the Church and carry out these necessary repairs. The Church temporarily moved to St John the Baptist Primary School for the Weekend and Weekday Masses, while St Patrick's Church would be used for Baptism, Funerals, Weddings, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and other liturgies and ceremonies as required.

The once flat roof became a pitched roof, with associated ceiling changes and repairs and a copper Cross was placed at the very top of the Roof. Attic space for storage has also been created. The Sanctuary size has been reduced to allow for the creation of two separate Altar Servers' and Priests' Sacristies, with the former sacristy being converted into a meeting room for Parish Groups to meet. With this, the Sanctuary has been moved forward to accommodate these extra rooms, with the implication being a reduction in the seating capacity from 1100 to 800. The Sanctuary and Main Church were re-carpeted and the seats  refurbished. Sanctuary Furniture was replaced to keep with the modern theme of the Church. A Baptistery has been moved to the former Children's Room with an entrance being formed in the Main Body of the Church and a new Aumbry being created inside the Baptistery. New doors at each entrance were also installed and the entrance halls being tiled and painted. Former Stained Glass Windows from the Original Building were restored and retained in the Refurbishment. The Sound System was also improved. Outside the Church, the Pathways have been replaced with modern stone flags and planting areas renewed and replenished.

The Church re-opened and rededicated on 28th November 2004 (1st Sunday of Advent) by the then Archbishop Sean Brady, Primate of all Ireland, with Priests from all over the diocese and further afield coming for this momentous day.

(Taken from "The Re-Opening of Church of St John the Baptist Drumcree, Portadown" Booklet - produced for the re-opening and rededication of the Altar at St John the Baptist Church, Portadown)