St Simon's Parish Church
Belfast, County Antrim
During the Penal times, strict laws suppressed Catholic practices across Ireland. A 1724 document records a ban on holding Catholic Mass at Friar’s Bush, a rural site on the outskirts of Belfast at the time. It was not until 1783 that a Catholic church would be built to serve Belfast’s Catholic population.
St Mary’s heritage is rooted in this landmark church of 1783, marking it as the first Catholic chapel within the city of Belfast. This historic building was made possible through widespread community support, including contributions from prominent Protestant citizens. On its opening day, May 30th, 1784, the Irish Volunteers (1st Belfast Company), a largely Presbyterian group, stood in uniform to honour the chapel's first Mass. The Irish Volunteers represented an early movement for Irish political autonomy, advocating for self-governance and independence from British parliamentary control.
In honour of St Mary’s establishment, this historic day was commemorated within the Belfast streetscape when Crooked Lane, was renamed as Chapel Lane.
The church underwent several alterations and the current Romanesque design, was designed by the architect John O’Neill. Visitors are greeted with its red brick façade – a hallmark of Belfast’s architectural legacy. A tranquil landscaped garden and the Lourdes Grotto offer a serene retreat for quiet reflection in the heart of the city.
Inside, St Mary’s unfolds a story through its high, vaulted ceilings, softly lit by flickering candles, where the echoes of centuries seem to resonate. Italian paintings depicting the death of St Joseph and the Annunciation grace the walls beside the altar. The pulpit, gifted by Belfast's Anglican Vicar, reflects a shared heritage among diverse communities.
Today, St Mary’s continues to serve an active congregation, offering Masses in the Irish language and preserving its cultural and social heritage. Visitors stand within one of Belfast’s oldest buildings, immersed in layers of history from its origins as a chapel in 1783 through to its Victorian renovations.