Architect's sketch - 1925

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The Golden Jubilee of a Church is an important landmark in the history of a parish. Back in 1978, as the people of Glenfin commemorated this special event in the life in the parish of Kilteevogue, it was a time for remembering and indeed a time of thanksgiving for the countless blessings bestowed on the people of the parish down through the years.

It was also a time for remembering with gratitude the wonderful foresight, faith and courage of the priests and people of 50 years earlier, for having undertaken such a daunting project. Back in 1928, from an economic viewpoint, it could scarcely have been a more difficult time.

South Face - June 2002

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The plight of small farmers in rural and mountainous areas is something that the present generation would find hard to understand. But older people remember the hungry '20s and 30s'. They remember the real sacrifices they had to make in raising and educating, feeding and clothing their children. Back then there was no Welfare State - no pensions, no dole, no childrens' allowances. There was very little to be earned for such products as small farmers were able to market...a grim picture indeed.

And yet it was at this very time that the decision was taken by the priests and people to build, not just any kind of church with mediocre material, but a building truly worthy of its high purpose - a building where the finest material was blended and put together by superb craftsmanship.

East face - June 2002

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In spite of the economic difficulties of the time, the efforts of the people at home, together with the generosity of the sons and daughters of the parish overseas (notably in the USA) made the ambitious project possible. The Foundation Stone was laid by the late Dr MacNeely in September 1925, and the church was solemnly blessed and dedicated by the same Bishop on Sunday, 28th June 1928.
Old fashioned wisdom paid off, because now, in the year 2002, Glenfin Chapel still looks youthful and is likely to remain so for many a year to come.

I am indebted to Seamus Sharpe, Galwolie, Cloghan, for sharing with us his copy of the Golden Jubilee Souvenir Brochure, 1928 - 1978, published at the time to commemorate the event. Our sincere thanks also to those people who compiled this beautifully written booklet, the writing of which is as timeless as the Church itself. On these pages, we have reproduced the booklet in condensed form, and added our own, present-day photographs and text.

I trust that our online contribution pays some small tribute to the parish of all my maternal ancestors, dating back many generations. They were not affluent people; no elaborate headstones mark their graves in Kilteevogue. This small tribute is dedicated in their memory, and indeed to all natives of Glenfin parish, past and present, at home or abroad.