Christ the King Mullingar

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1 Christ the King Mullingar
2 Introduction
3 Diocese of Meath
4 The Building
5 Associated External links

[edit] Christ the King Mullingar

[edit] Introduction

The cathedral Christ the King Mullingar is situated near the city centre of Mullingar next to the canal, and over-sees the local Garda Siochana base on Mary's street.

[edit] Diocese of Meath

The Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar is both the cathedral church of the diocese of Meath and the principal centre of worship in the catholic parish of Mullingar. This incudes both Meath and Westmeath counties for the major part.

Designed to replace the Cathedral of the Immaculate conception (1836-1936), planning commenced in 1920. The architects appointed were William Byrne & Sons of Dublin. Building began in March 1933 and the foundation stone was laid on the 6th. August of that year by Bishop Thomas Mulvany. The formal opening and dedication of the new cathedral took place on the 6th. September 1936. At the request of Pope Pius XI, it became the fist cathedral in the world to be dedicated to Christ the King. It was solemnly consecrated on 6th. August 1939, a date normally associated with the outbreak of the second world war.

[edit] The Building

Christ the King, main aile

Basillican in form and renaissance in style, the cathedral has a seating capacity of 1800. Its distinctive twin towers, surmounted by bronze crosses, rise to a height of about 55 metres. The total cost of the building, including decoration was 275,000 Irish pounds. Messers Murphy of Dublin were the builders, while much of the artistic decoration work was completed by Earley & Co. of Camden street Dublin and Oppenheimer Ltd., of Old Trafford, Manchester. The works of art for which the cathedral is most famous are the mosaics in the chapels of Saint Anne and Saint Patrick. These are the work of the Russian born mosaic artist Boris Anrep, whose mosaic work may also be found in Westminster Cathedral London.

In addition to the Cathedral of Christ the King, the Catholic parish of Mullingar is served by the churches of St. Paul, Our Lady of the Assumption, Walshestown, Immaculate Conception Church, Gainstown, and the church of the little flower and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Brotenstown. Your are welcome to visit and pray in this cathedral.

This is no other but the house of God and the gate of Heaven (Gen.28:17)