Construction of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Athlone began in 1930. The first mass was said in 1937 on St. Patrick's Day as it was nearing completion. The church was solemnly dedicated on June 29 of that year, the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. The church sits on a hill over the River Shannon and can be seen for quite a distance.
The church follows the Roman Renaissance style which is quite uncommon in Ireland. It is elegant and spacious inside, with room for over 1000 worshipers.
The main altar has some nice Latin inscriptions above that say, "Come holy ones take the Body of Christ; Praised be Jesus Christ."
The pulpit also has the ornate majesty found throughout the church.
The stained glass is quite striking.
Bas relief medallions on the walls represent the four evangelists, showing them inspired by angels to write their gospels. The angels take the symbolic form associated with each evangelist--the cow with St. Luke, the man with St. Matthew, the lion with St. Mark, and the eagle with St. John.
Other statues in the church are clearly modeled after famous statues in Rome.
Other interesting bits were a beautiful painting of St. Joseph's happy death and an impressive holy water font.
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| Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Athlone |
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| Rear view |
The church follows the Roman Renaissance style which is quite uncommon in Ireland. It is elegant and spacious inside, with room for over 1000 worshipers.
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| Nave |
The main altar has some nice Latin inscriptions above that say, "Come holy ones take the Body of Christ; Praised be Jesus Christ."
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| Main altar |
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| Latin above the altar |
The pulpit also has the ornate majesty found throughout the church.
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| Pulpit |
The stained glass is quite striking.
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| St. Joseph |
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| St. Paul |
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| St. Joseph again! |
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| Our Lady |
Bas relief medallions on the walls represent the four evangelists, showing them inspired by angels to write their gospels. The angels take the symbolic form associated with each evangelist--the cow with St. Luke, the man with St. Matthew, the lion with St. Mark, and the eagle with St. John.
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| St. Luke instructed by a cow angel! |
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| St. Matthew instructed by a human angel |
Other statues in the church are clearly modeled after famous statues in Rome.
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| Sts. Peter and Paul, with Peter's foot not rubbed away like in Rome |
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| David and Moses |
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| Crucifixion |
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| Pieta like Michelangelo's (though the cross is not in Michelangelo's) |
Other interesting bits were a beautiful painting of St. Joseph's happy death and an impressive holy water font.
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| Happy Death |
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| J gets ready to bless himself |
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