Celebrating 150 Years of St Peter's Church, Kilmore Quay
Kilmore Parish celebrated St. Peter’s Church’s 150th anniversary on October 17th, 2025.
St. Peter’s Church stands today not just as a landmark of Kilmore Quay, but as a hard-won victory for a nineteenth-century community that refused to let three miles of muddy, seaweed-strewn roads stand between them and their faith.
In 1871 a petition was written and signed by the tenants on the estate of Henry Bruen at Kilmore Quay to their landlord requesting a site to build a chapel and school close to the quay.
As a result of the petition, the Bruens leased a site to Rev. Furlong Bishop of Ferns and the work for the building of St Peter’s Church began in 1873. Conceived by the Dublin architect George Coppinger Ashlin (1837-1921), this six-bay, double-height structure was built to stand as a testament to enduring Irish craftsmanship. Look up at the sharply pointed-arch windows and the intricate, exposed timber roof—every detail whispers of a place built to last, a solid refuge against the Atlantic winds. For over 150 years, the sound of its cast-bronze bell (dated 1902) has rung out, its chime a familiar, comforting sound for those out on the water.
The church was built through the combined effort of the community: local tradesmen provided the labour Local tradesmen while farmers loaned their horses and carts to haul the roof slates from Wexford. For the inaugural Mass on October 17, 1875, tickets were sold to raise funds. Prices ranged from £1 for a front-row family ticket to 2/6 for a third-row seat, ultimately raising the pretty sum of £150.
The current bell was fitted in 1902, donated by local sailing ship owner, Patrick Rochford. It’s only in 1910 that a gallery for St Peter’s Church was built, using pitch pine transported to the harbour on the schooner “Ocean Pearl”, owned by Capt. Monaghan.
An image of the 1871 petition reproduced here by kind permission of Wexford County Archive.
In a village whose name, Kilmore Quay, literally means the “Quay of the big church,” St. Peter’s is far more than just a building – it is the heart and soul of this maritime community. Generations of fishermen and their families have marked life’s deepest moments within these walls, from the joyous splashes of baptisms to the solemn promise of weddings and the final, tearful farewells. A long time ago, donkeys and carts were tied up at the church railings while their owners attended Mass. The men, who always stood outside the door catching up on the weekly news, made the service a genuine social gathering as much as a religious one.
This deep connection to the sea is etched into the very fabric of the church. For centuries, before the advent of modern navigation, the bright, white gables and bellcote of St Peter’s Church served a vital, practical purpose: returning fishermen knew to align the church with other landmarks around to safely steer their boats into the harbour.
Inside, one particular stained glass window in the narthex speaks directly to the soul of the village. It depicts the Calling of the Apostles, bearing the powerful inscription: “I shall make you fishers of men.” Below a figure of Jesus, hands raised in command, fishermen are shown casting and hauling their nets, illustrating the very moment Christ called them to trade the work of the sea for the work of the Gospel.
The most profound transformation in the life of St. Peter’s came in 1973 when the Second Vatican Council called for a more “active and conscious participation” from the congregation, a fundamental shift in the very way the faithful experienced the Mass. Before that, the priest stood with his back to the congregation, celebrating the liturgy at a high altar that was separated from the people by a communion rail. In 1973, to align with the Vatican’s guidelines, the altar in St. Peter’s Church was moved forward, allowing the priest to face the people directly while the communion rail was removed.
Though initially built with exposed stone, the façade was eventually rendered with plaster—a necessary measure to weatherproof and protect the building from the relentless Atlantic winds.
Only Ordination to Date
A milestone occurred on August 13, 1972, with the ordination of Anthony ‘Tony’ Haycock—the only ordination in the church’s history. Fr. Tony, son of Nan Haycock (née Bates) of Ballyburn, went on to serve in Seattle for many years until his passing in 2024 at age 87.
Historical buildings like St. Peter’s Church in Kilmore Quay gain more character when you know the stories of how they’ve changed with time. Kilmore Quay community is very proud of its heritage. This pride is warranted, as the church’s evolution demonstrates a tradition that is both enduring and adaptable. Because St. Peter’s is an irreplaceable record of the village’s identity, history, and spiritual life, its very survival depends on our dedication. Places like St. Peter’s Church in Kilmore Quay ought to be preserved and conserved for their immense heritage value, ensuring that the story of the community continues to be told for another 150 years.
In Ireland, the power to protect buildings of architectural, historical, or cultural significance lies with the local planning authority under the Planning and Development Act 2000. The council maintains a list called the Record of Protected Structures (RPS). St peter’s Church is a protected monument (referenced as WCC0903) but it is also listed under the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH Registration Number 15621023).
