Overview
Christians have worshipped on this ground in Dromore for some 1,500 years – since St Colman, a disciple of St Patrick, set up a daub-and-wattle church on the north bank of the River Lagan around 510 AD. The cathedral that stands there now, officially the Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer, is a modest building for its title: one of two diocesan cathedrals for the United Diocese of Down & Dromore, but in daily use it is the parish church for around 600 local families. If you have ten minutes, the thing to see is the restored high cross by the entrance, parts of which date from the 9th or 10th century.
One thing to check before you go: at the time of writing the cathedral was being rewired, and Sunday services had moved to the Cathedral Hall, with a return to the building expected in early September. Opening hours are limited and vary in summer, so it is worth confirming the cathedral is open before making a trip for the interior.
A living history
The early church was replaced by a medieval stone one, of which no record survives, and that in turn was destroyed in the conflicts of 1641. By then it had cathedral status: in 1609 King James I had granted letters patent raising the church to a cathedral. Reconstruction came under Bishop Jeremy Taylor, the noted 17th-century theologian, and the narrow central nave he completed in 1661 – roughly 20 ft wide and 100 ft long – is still the core of the building.
Later bishops added to it piece by piece, which is why the floor plan reads as a series of right angles rather than a single design:
- 1811 – Bishop Thomas Percy commissioned the Percy aisle, set at right angles to the original nave.
- 1870 – architect Thomas Drew added a semi-circular sanctuary in Taylor’s honour, along with an organ aisle and baptistry.
- 1899 – the Harding aisle completed the rectangular plan you see today.
It is a Grade B1 listed building.
What to see inside
Because the cathedral grew over three centuries, you can read its history simply by walking from the older nave into the later additions.
- The high cross – restored and re-erected near the entrance, with portions of the stonework dating from the 9th or 10th century: a direct link to the site’s early Christian foundation.
- The organ – built by Conacher & Co. in 1871, and extensively restored and rebuilt by Trevor Crowe in 2008/2009, when the console was moved closer to the choir.
- Historical memorials – the burial slab of Bishop Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667) is set into the floor, and Bishop Thomas Percy (1729–1811) is also remembered here.
- Stained glass – Victorian windows depicting biblical scenes and figures from the diocese.
The churchyard and grounds
Outside is a quiet churchyard of mature trees and old gravestones, open during daytime hours and a handy resting point for walkers along the River Lagan valley. The high cross stands near the entrance, and the grounds give the best view of how the building’s various phases fit together.
Practical information
- Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri, 9:00am–1:00pm, reduced to Mon & Fri during July. Confirm ahead, as rewiring work may affect access.
- Admission: Free.
- Parking: A car park with plenty of spaces is at the Cathedral Hall on Upper Church Street; use this rather than parking on the street.
- Dogs: Welcome on a lead.
- Contact: 028 9269 3968 | cathedral@dromore.anglican.org
The parish publishes a monthly Cathedral Life Magazine and posts updates on its Facebook page, which is the most reliable place to check current service times and whether the building has reopened after the rewiring work.
Getting there and nearby
Dromore sits directly on the A1 between Belfast and Newry, so it is straightforward to reach by car or bus. The town itself rewards a short wander – the Dromore Motte and Bailey and the riverside walk are a few minutes away. Banbridge is a short run north for shops and food, and further south near Newry, Bagenal’s Castle gives a sense of 16th-century tower-house life.
A weekday morning is the time to come: when it is open, you will likely have the nave to yourself, with the light through the Victorian glass and no service to work around. Allow about half an hour for the interior and churchyard together.