The design of the 1979 Church

The following are accounts that were printed inside the souvenir leaflet distributed on the occasion of the dedication of the church in October 1979

Architect's Account

In March 1978 Reverend Father Joseph Gleeson, C.C. invited Liam McCormick and Partners to visit Laytown to discuss the possibility of a new church. The architects felt that the existing church site was ideal lying between beach and main road with in addition, that sense of emotional attachment associated with a church around which a village has grown.

After agreement on programme and studying the problem, the Architects proposed that the existing gable be retained and that all new building would be on the seaward side so that the existing landscaped front be left undisturbed. Building as suggested would unquestionably be architecturally more demanding and more expensive than building on an alternative site. Father Gleeson accepted the recommendation and designing proceeded.

The design forms as it were three units. The principal one being the main body of the church, a double skinned ovoid for 750 people, with criery, sacristies, proches and mechanical services taking up the space between the inner and outer skins. The second unit, the main entrance gable of the old church has been given sufficient depth by retaining parts of the flank walls to form a new entrance porch. The third unit which links the main body of the church with the gable is in the form of a glazed loggia providing standing accommodation for the summer overflow congregations.

Welcome to our new Church:

As you pass through the cast iron gates you are aware that the frontage and the mature neat landscape of the old church (built in 1876) remains undisturbed. Immediately inside the main entrance you will note the stone blessed by pope John Paul II at Knock elegantly lettered by artist Ruth Brandt. Then into the glassed area, suspended over a pool, designed to accommodate standing overflow congregations. Part of the original Church is to be found in the re-use of the carved limestone holy water stoups.

As you enter the main body of the church attention is drawn to the large tabernacle and related sanctuary lamp. These are the work of David King and are in bronze and enamel. The Dove of Peace and Olive Branch enrich the tabernacle door while enameled wings stretching outwards and upwards embrace as it were the sanctuary lamp.

Beyond is the timeless view of the sea and sky with the tall dark cross in the foreground. These form as it were the reredos to the altar, ambo, sedelia and baptismal designed by the architects in Limestone with an echoing wave design.

On either side of the sanctuary are sculptor, Nell Pollen's painted cast plaster stations of the Cross. Figures from the stained glass windows of the old church have been reincorporated in new glazed surrounds set in recessed openings.

We hope you have enjoyed your visit and ask yout to haelp us pay off the large debt. Donors will be remembered in the prayers and Masses offered in this Church.

Thank you.

The Tabernacle

The tabernacle by David King reminds us of the ships that regularly sailed on the Irish Sea throughout the ages. St. Patick is said to have sailed past this site to make land at Colpe in Mornington. The Vikings were no strangers to these waters too.

Of particular note is the figure of the Dove with the Olive Branch. This is a Universal Symbol of Peace, Hope and New Beginnings. In the context of a church, it is a reminder to us of the end of the Great Flood, when Noah sent out a dove and it returned with a branch indicating that the waters had receded.

The tabernacle contains the Blessed Sacrament - Jesus himself. The red sanctuary lamp in the sail above it is a reminder to us and to all who can see it from the sea, that the Lord is truly with us when the seas of our lives are both rough and calm.

The Stained Glass Windows

The Stained Glass Windows contain the images of Jesus and the Saints that were in the windows of the older church building