Tullanisken Parish Church
Newmills, County Tyrone
Tullanisken Parish, is located in Newmills just outside Dungannon, a great community village that is worth a visit.
The church was built in the 19th century.
During the 1850’s the catholic population of Coalisland was increasing whilst at the same time the population of Stewartstown was in decline. In 1853 Fr Peter Daly was appointed parish priest and set about building a new church at the graveyard in Coalisland. Due to lack of financial support in that period following the Famine and other reasons it took nearly a decade to finish the work. But by 1862 the church of St Mary & St Joseph’s was consecrated. It is believed that John O’Neill who was the architect for nearby St Mary’s church was also the architect on St Mary & St Joseph’s.
Major renovations took place in 1999/2000 at a cost of approx £200,000. The seating capacity of the church building is 350 and a new carpet was recently installed. The church is in good decorative order both inside and out and the church and graveyard are well maintained by a very dedicated Sexton.
The organ is a renewed 'Hill' organ and is still used every Sunday, is serviced regularly and is kept in excellent condition. It is also used to teach those learning the pipe organ. The church has many beautiful stained glass windows, with the recent installation of two more and a third currently in production.