ST PETER’S Church in Milford, which was designed by the famous architect Liam McCormick, turns 60 years old today.  Due to the pandemic the milestone will be marked with a simple mass led by Fr Stephen Gorman this morning with plans for a celebration next year. Fr Gorman told the Donegal News that the church itself is of national importance and said its 60-year anniversary is a great milestone for the local community.

“The church was blessed by the Most Reverend MacNeely, Bishop of Raphoe at the time. The architect was Liam McCormick of Corr and McCormick who were based in Derry. The Stations of the Cross were done by the famous architect Imogen Stuart. We find that a lot of people come to look at the stations and pray in front of them. Many architecture students contact the parish because they are doing studies on the church itself.

“It is a great milestone for the local community. Unfortunately we are not able to celebrate but we are hoping once the pandemic ceases that we will be able to and we hope to have the Bishop come and say mass next year.”

Liam McCormick was regarded as the “father of modern church architecture in Ireland” and designed several churches in Donegal. Milford was his first in the county followed by Murlog (1964), Desertegney (1964), Burt (1967), Creeslough (1971), Glenties (1974) and Donoughmore Presbyterian Church (1977).

Most Rev. Dr MacNeely said at the time ‘St Peter’s is a type of church which will attract a good deal of attention and interest from people who know something about church architecture.’ At the opening ceremony Archdeacon Hugh Canon Boyle also said: “In years to come, St Peter’s will be pointed out as one of the gems of modern church architecture”.

The erection of the church began in July 1959 and the construction work was undertaken by Mr Joseph McMenamin, Stranorlar. It was built and furnished at a cost of £28,000. An article in the Derry People dated June 3, 1961 noted that ‘the contemporary design embodies many features new in church architecture. Built of steel reinforced concrete, the roof is supported on four tapered steel columns. The interior is finished in a restful buff-coloured rough-surfaced brick, and the floor is in grey-white mosaic. The design accentuating the importance of the altar allows for clear vision from any of the seated position.”