Saint Patrick's, Newry facts for kids
Saint Patrick's Church is a special church located in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland. It belongs to the Church of Ireland, which is a Christian church in Ireland. This church sits on a hill on Church Street. From its spot, it looks over the city centre of Newry.
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What is Saint Patrick's Church?
Saint Patrick's Church is a very old and important building. It is made of strong granite stone. The church stands tall on a hill, giving it a great view of Newry.
A Look at Its History
People believe that the first version of this church was built in 1578. A man named Nicholas Bagenal helped make this happen. He was given land by King Edward VI. This church is thought to be the very first Protestant church in Ireland. Protestant churches are a type of Christian church.
However, the church you see today was mostly rebuilt. This happened much later, in 1866. So, while it has old roots, its current look is from the 1800s.
The Church's Special Design
One cool thing about Saint Patrick's Church is its unique spire. A spire is the tall, pointy part on top of a church. This church's spire has a small steeple at each corner of its clock tower. This design is quite unusual!
A famous writer named Jonathan Swift once visited Newry. He noticed the church's unique look. He even made a famous comment about Newry: 'High Church, Low Steeple; Dirty Streets, Proud People'. He was talking about the church's tall building but its unusual, lower-looking spire.
What Does "Listed B+" Mean?
In 1976, Saint Patrick's Church was given a "B+" listing. This means it's recognized as a building of special architectural or historical interest. It helps protect the church so it can be enjoyed for many more years.
