St Mary

Built about 1880 and is of neo-gothic design.

St Mary's was built in 1871 on land given by the Beresfords of Learmount. It sits on a prominent site on the Altinure Road and has been a focal point in the village of Park for over 150 years. Designed by architects O'Neill and Byrne, the church was built by McClay of Strabane and the free-stone cutters were Hunter of Derry and Farren of Orville. It is estimated that it took £4000 to build thechurch. It was said that some of the money came from America, some was collected at factories in Belfast, and at local fairs from both Catholic and Protestant farmers.

It is a rectangular medium sized church built with local squared gnisse stone and Dungiven Altmover ashlar stone with a steeply pitched slated roof. There is a stone bellicote with a rising Celtic Iron cross to the west gable and a wheel window high up in the gable which lights the gallery and four quatrefoils punctuate the lower wall and provide light under the gallery. The church was dedicated on 22nd October 1871 to St Mary, Refuge of Sinners. In 1968 the church and grounds underwent major renovations which included the building of a new sacristy and confessions boxes were added to the church.

The original main entrance was repositioned to an existing side entrance. To the east of the church is the graveyard. The church sits on a prominent site close to the main road and has been a focal point in the village of Park for over 150 years., photos, statues and other adornments.