Saint MacNissi's Church
Randalstown
CHURCH HISTORY
Early Christian Origins
The Catholic community of Saint MacNissi’s Church in Randalstown has deep roots stretching back to the earliest days of Christianity in Ireland—possibly to the time of Saint Patrick in the fifth century.
Our spiritual heritage is closely tied to the ancient townland of Drummaul, from which the parish takes its name.
Written taxation records from as far back as 1306 mention two churches in the area: Drummaul and Cranfield (Crewill). Both remained active until the early 1600s, but by then, church surveys recorded them as “decayed”. ​
The remnants of Drummaul Church and its graveyard can still be visited today via the Caddy and Coolsythe Roads. These historic grounds are now maintained by the Antrim and Newtownabbey District Council.
The Penal Era
The Penal Laws of the 17th and 18th centuries, which outlawed Catholic worship, led to the emergence of hidden Mass sites—open-air ‘Mass rocks’ and altars in secluded areas. Faith endured in secret, often at great personal risk until the Penal Laws started to be relaxed in the mid 18th century.
It is on the site of one of these secret places of worship that the first Randalstown Church of Saint MacNissi was built in 1784 by Fr. Peter O’Boyle, marking a return to open worship.
Building the Parish Church
Over the next 150 years, this humble church would undergo several transformations:
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1824 – East wing (front) added
1848 – Bell tower constructed
1894 – Further development
1932 – Major renovations
This original church still stands on Magheralane Road, a silent witness to generations of faith.
In 1972, a new, larger church was constructed on adjoining land to accommodate the growing parish, and dedicated by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Dr. William Philbin.
The old church was no longer used as a place of worship but was later renovated and used as a community hall.​
Sadly, this new church building was destroyed by arson in 1997, during a time of heightened political tensions. ​It is testament to the faith, determination and resilience of the Catholic community that the Church that we have today was the practical response.
Under the guidance of Fr. Con Boyle and the architectural expertise of Rooney & McConville, the architects of the previous church, a new contemporary church was designed and constructed. This new church was solemnly dedicated in December 1999 by Most Rev. Patrick Walsh, Bishop of Down and Connor.
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​The present-day Saint MacNissi’s Church is a beautiful, modern place of worship. Its striking design emphasizes both the altar—the symbol of Christ’s presence—and The Word of God, at the heart of every Mass. The stained-glass windows tell the story of Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, using the age-old Catholic tradition of storytelling through sacred art.
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Key Dates
More Recently
During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when churches were forced to close in line with Government legislation, the community found creative ways to continue worship—most memorably with outdoor Masses held in the frosty church car park amid swirling fog and winter air.
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Thankfully services returned to the church building after a few months.
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Saint MacNissi's has a long history. Today, supported by the community, the Church continues to flourish.