St Bernadette's, the largest and most distinctive parish church in the diocese of Down and Connor, was designed by Belfast architect Brian Gregory and was opened in 1967. It was one of the first churches in Ireland to be designed from the outset to accommodate the post-Vatican II practice of the priest celebrating Mass whilst facing the congregation.
St Bernadette's was fully refurbished for its Golden Jubilee, including returning it to as close as possible to its original condition.
The church has a distinctive fan-shaped design which gives unimpeded views of the sanctuary whilst allowing all members of the congregation to be in reasonable proximity to the altar. The curved portion of the fan shape makes up the back wall of the church, most of which is taken up with stunning “dalle de verre” windows by Dom Charles Norris of Buckfast Abbey, and manufactured in that location. These are believed to be Father Norris largest dalle de verre installation.
The interior of the church has many fine items of 1960s artwork, the most notable of which is a nine foot high sculpture of the crucified Christ by Elizabeth Frink (1964), the largest of her Christ sculptures. This hangs above the altar which forms the centrepiece of a large marble floored sanctuary. Sculptures and carvings (in both wood and stone) by Ian Stewart, Stations of the Cross by Nell Pollen and reliefs by Ray Carroll are also noteworthy features.
The church has a fine two-manual organ with over 700 pipes. This was built by Irish Organ Company for the opening of the church, and rebuilt and extended in 2017 by the Pipe Organ Preservation Company of Ireland.
Visitors are most welcome.
