Muff Church

SHORT HISTORY

In 1693 the Parish of Muff was one of the 5 Chapels of ease attached to Templemore under the name of Iskaheen (UISGE CHADIN), St Columbkille is said to have founded an Abbey at Iskaheen meaning ("the beautiful water") which appears to have been a dependant of the Abbey of Derry. The Chapel here was in repair in 1693.
The ruins of the old Abbey and Church are on the opposite side of the road from the existing R.C Chapel at Iskaheen.

Evidently the Church went out of repair soon after 1693 and a new Church was built at Muff, for a tombstone in the aisle of Muff Church records that Col. Henry Hart of Kilderry was buried there in 1712 and his son George Hart in his Will proved in 1768, directed that he should be buried in his Father's Grave in Muff Church. Muff Church is about 2 miles from the old one. The bell of the old Church is said to have been used in the new Church up to 1722, when a new bell was procured.
In 1809 the parish became a Perpetual Curacy with 14 townlands attached. In a law Suit the Dean verses inhabitants of Culmore, for tithes 1817 (Derry journal, August 26 and September 2 1817), Rev George V. Hart stated that Muff Church was built by his Grandfather in 1737 of Kiuldery.

In 1835 the Church was repaired and in 1875 and 1893 it was altered and improved. As a memorial and thank offering for those who had served in the Great War, new tiling was placed in the Aisle and Porch in 1921 and a Brass Eagle Lectern in the Chancel in memory of those who fell in action.
The East Window, with three lights and tracery, has coloured glass and depictions of a cup and grapes and the lamd of God. It commemorates Commander George Vaughan Hart, RN of Kilderry and his wife, Jane Marie, both whom died in 1895.

Primate Alexander was ordained deacon of Muff Church on the 19th September 1874. By 1921 the population of Muff was declining rapidly but because of some legal difficulties it was not possible to unite with a neighbouring Parish. The problem was overcome by extending the boundaries of Muff, thereby absorbing Culmore. Hence the Parish of Culmore lost its identity, while the Parish of Muff has two Churches, one in N.Ireland and the other just across the border in the Republic.
In 1978 Culmore and Muff were grouped with St. Peter's Belmont were they became known as "The Grouped Parishes of Culmore, Muff and St.Peter's". The Parishes of Culmore.

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.