Saint Mary's Church Belfast

1868 - John O'Neill. St Mary's was the first Roman Catholic Church in Belfast; and opened its doors in 1784 (although the present building is more recent). Before this, the Catholic population met at Friar's Bush, (a site still represented by the graveyard of that name beside the Ulster Museum, Stranmillis). Built during a period of religious intolerance, St Marys was part-funded by contributions from the Presbyterian Church and Church of Ireland. Beside it is Our Lady of Lourdes grotto completed in 1954.