Churches, ministries, and other places of worship in Newry, Northern Ireland are the focus of this part of our web guide, along with other topics relating to faith, religion, and spirituality within the city.
Newry has a religious history that dates back to pre-Christian times. Like much of Ireland, the Newry area was dominated by pagan beliefs and practices before Christianity found its way to Ireland. Ancient Celts practiced a form of nature worship that venerated natural elements like trees, rivers, and stones. The Druids, the religious leaders and scholars of the Celtic people, played a significant role in these practices, conducting rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies honoring the Celtic pantheon of gods and goddesses.
According to legend, Saint Patrick planted two yew trees in Newry to symbolize the growth of the Christian faith in the region. The city took its name from this, as "Newry" is an anglicisation of the Irish An Iúraigh, which means "the grove of yew trees."
The city's affiliation with Christianity grew with the establishment of a Benedictine Monastery in 1144, founded by Saint Malachy. Despite Viking raids, the dissolution of monasteries during the Reformation, and a long time of political-religious strife during The Troubles, Newry's religious community persevered.
Today, Newry's religious organisations are deeply involved in community service and outreach programmes. Ministries such as the Sisters of Mercy and various Protestant churches offer support to the needy, organise community events, and provide spiritual guidance.
While the majority of Newry's population identifies as Catholic, there is a significant presence of Protestant denominations, including the Presbyterian Church, the Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church, and many others. Additionally, the city has small communities of other religions, such as Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.
Websites representing places of worship or ministries in Newry are appropriate resources for this category, regardless of the religion, denomination or sect.
Recommended Resources
Headquartered in Newry, the Diocese of Dromore is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in Northern Ireland. The diocese spans an area of about 1,000 square kilometers, including parts of Counties Antrim, Armagh, and Down. The diocese consists of 23 parishes and 48 churches. Its history, parishes, clergy, and media contacts are set forth, along with a calendar of events, and information about vocations, contact data, and links to other online resources.
https://www.dromorediocese.org/
First Newry (Sandys Street) Presbyterian Church
The Newry, Northern Ireland church's website suggests that the church originated in the 1640s, and that it currently meets at its meeting house in Sandys Street. Sunday services are at 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. The church's website announces Other programs or activities, including schedules and contacts. Service may also be viewed through live-streaming video. Necessary forms for other activities may be downloaded from the website, and links to a podcast archive are included.
https://sandysstreetpc.com/
Located on Lower Catherine Street in Newry, Northern Ireland, the congregation offers its weekly worship services on Sundays at 11:00 am and midweek services on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. The congregation is made up of people from several religious and cultural backgrounds and is a member of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland. An introduction to its team is provided, along with contact data, announcements of its programmes and activities, and an informational blog.
https://www.newrybaptistchurch.com/
The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Colman (Newry Cathedral) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Newry, Northern Ireland. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of Dromore and the Mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dromore. Located on Newry's Main Street, the cathedral replaced St. Mary's Church, which had been constructed in 1789. Built of local granite, it was the first Catholic cathedral in Ireland opened after the Catholic Emancipation. Parish information and schedules are posted.
https://newrycathedralparish.org/
Established about thirty years ago, the Newry Metropolitan Church is a welcoming, non-denominational Christian church whose congregation is made up of Catholics and Protestants. A profile and history of the church are provided, along with a statement of beliefs, its worship schedules, and a calendar of upcoming events. Prayer requests can be submitted, and an online contact form is available for requests for information about any of the church's services or events.
https://www.newrymetropolitanchurch.co.uk/
Riverside Reformed Presbyterian Church in Newry, Northern Ireland, gathers for services on Sundays at 11:30 am and 7:00 pm (on the 1st and 4th Sunday of the month). The church's origins go back about a century. A profile and a brief history of the church is provided on its website, along with an introduction to its pastor and elders, a statement of beliefs, service schedules, and announcements of other programmes and activities. Its address, a map showing its location, and contacts are provided.
https://www.riverside.rpc.org/
