Culmore Church

SHORT HISTORY

Culmore Church was originally one of the Chapels of ease, attached to Templemore. Historical accounts state that there was a large Chapel built about 3 miles from Derry, but King James's army burnt it and it was not repaired or rebuilt. The Church was originally erected for the use by the Garrison of the fort at Culmore. It was in a shape of a Cruciform with a nave, transept and square tower, 54 feet long and 46 feet wide at the transept. It was said that Divine worship was only twice performed in it and that it was used as a hospital by King James's army during the seige of Derry in 1689 and at one time held 400 Jacabites wounded. And you can still see part of the old ruins at the back of Holy Trinity Church. Tradition also relates that the French General "Moment" who fell at Pennyburn was buried here.

In 1840 the Irish Society acquired the lands of Culmore from the crown and a new Church known as "Holy Trinty Church" was built in 1867, partly by subscription and partly by a grant from Ecclestastical Commission. The Irish Society on December 12th 1865 charged its estate £75 yearly as an endowment for a Perpetual Curacy. In 1867 there were 274 Church attendants. As a war memorial to those who belonged to the Church and gave their life in the 1st World war, a new Lectern was donated it was carved out of oak panelling and also a Table. A carved Oak Pulpit was erected in memory of Captian Joseph Ballintine, Killed in the Great War was given by his widow,also a Carved Oak Reading Desk the gift of the Irish Society in connection with the Jubilee of the Church in 1867 - 1917 was Donated.

Culmore joined up with Muff Church in 1921 and in 1978 they joined together with St.Peter's Church, Belmont to become a Group

On September 2007 the Group Parishes of Culmore, Muff and St.Peter's Amalgamated with Christ Church on Infirmary Road, to become a group.

The Grouped Parishes of Christ Church, Culmore, Muff and St.Peter's.