Taken from the Cork Examiner, Monday Morning, May 4th 1903
The solemn rites of opening the new Church of the Assumption at Milford, Co.Cork
was performed yesterday by his Lordship the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of
Cloyne. The sacred function was marked with all the ceremony which the church
is wont to associate with so auspicious an event and a goodly concourse of clergy
and an extremely large congregation were present at the first Mass offered up
within the walls of the Church.
An event of so much significance in the religious history of an individual parish
would under any circumstances be a memorable on to all those privileged to take
part in it, but the happy conditions which have left the Church free from the
smallest encumbrance in the way of debt, and which, therefore enabled the impressive
ceremonial of consecration to the solemnised, rendering the occasion one of
deep interest in diocesan annals also. The zeal on the part of the Reverend
Parish Priest the Rev. Wm. Coughlan and the whole hearted support accorded to
his efforts by the people of the parish, who voluntarily taxed themselves to
the extent of 7s 6d in the pound to provide the greater part of the £3,400
required for the erection of the Church, the result must be one for sincere
pride and congratulation. An idea of the greatness of the task they have so
successfully accomplished may be better appreciated when it is remembered that
Milford is the third Church consecrated in the Diocese, the other two being
Mitchelstown and Carrigtwohill.
The new edifice which stands on a commanding site in the village, is of beautiful
proportions, and was designed and completed by Mr. M.A. Hennessy architect of
Cork. It is treated in the Early English period of Gothic Architecture, and
consists of nave, double isles, sanctuary, side chapels, gallery and sacristy.
It measures in extreme length 90 feet and in breath 48 feet. The isles are divided
from the nave by arcades of five bays each, with pointed arches borne by octagonal
pillars, with moulded caps and bases. The isles are lighted by coupled two-light
windows and the clearstory by trefoil lights. The interior produces a pleasing
picture, the roofs are of wrought pine, stained and varnished with massive timbers
with well wrought and graceful curved bases. The exterior is a fine piece of
work, the mellow tints of the local stone contrasting harmoniously with the
buff shades of the dressings, particularly the front gable, is worthy of attention.
A massive pointed doorway leads to the Church, above is an elegant rose window,
while towering upwards from the gable stands the belfry, crowned by a floriated
cross. The east and a chancel gable, are equally bold and striking, and are
admirably grouped with the adjoining sacristy. The high altar is of Carrara
marble with pillars of Cork red, serpentines, etc. and is an exquisite piece
of workmanship. It is lighted by two tall lancet windows. The side Alters are
of polished oak neatly finished and are consecrated to the Blessed Virgin and
St. Joseph. The Church is furnished with pews over the whole aisle space and
the entire appointments have been carried out in a most complete and tasteful
manner.
In most unfavourable contrast to the new building, the old Church, from which
it is separated by some twenty yards or so, was probably the most unsuitable
amongst the few of its kind left in the South. The structure was originally
a mill, and occupied a very unsuitable situation. It was a low simple structure
altogether without ornament, and entirely inadequate to the needs of the congregation.
The change from this dilapidated structure to the fine new Church just consecrated
is amply illustrative of the Church's new career.
The Mass which succeeded the consecration and opening was celebrated at eleven
o'clock and was presided over by his Lordship the Bishop, the celebrant being
Rev. T. Crowley CC Milford. The assistants at the throne were - The Very Rev.
Canon Morrissey PP Banteer and the Very Rev. Canon O'Connell PP Kanturk, the
other clergy present were very Rev. Canon Higgins PP Castletownroche, the Rev.
W. Coughlan PP Milford, the Rev. Father Frawley CC Freemount, the Rev. Father
Brown Queenstown, the Rev. Father Murphy English Mission and the Rev. Father
Moore CC Newtownshandrum.