Churches in the Parish of Dungannon
Church of St Patrick, Dungannon (1876)
Church of St Malachy, Edendork (1814)
The first Chapel, built by voluntary labour in 1814, was a simple structure with a thatched roof. According to a strong local tradition the roof was blown off in a storm and for a number of years Mass continued to be said in the roofless building. Extensive renovations were carried out in 1850 under the direction of Dean Slane. The stone came from local quarries. The contractor was Thomas Byrne and many local men worked on the Chapel. The new Chapel was dedicated in the Spring of 1851. Originally there were two main doors to the chapel, but one was later built up.
In 1931 the Chapel underwent an extensive renovation and for a period of time the parishioners attended Mass in the old school at the gate. The Chapel was reopened on the first Sunday of Advent in 1931.
In 1953 the Chapel again underwent extensive renovations under the direction of Dean John Quinn. Further smaller renovations continued in 1970 when the sactuary was reconstructed in accordance with the Second Vatican Council.
The Chapel was again refurbished in 2015 under the direction of Dean Colum Curry and reopened to parishioners on 13 September 2015.
Church of St Brigid, Killyman (1786)
The Church of St Brigid Killyman built in 1786 is the oldest church in the parish of Dungannon.
The name Killyman comes from the Irish "Cill na mBan", which means "The Church of the Women". The four townlands of Laghey, Kinnego, Moyrow and Moybeg were church lands and it is probable that they were attached to a Convent of Nuns, possibly the ancient Abbey of Na Fearta in Armagh.
When the parishes of Ireland were marked out in the 12th century, Killyman emerged as a little parish in its own right. Originally the parish of Dungannon was known as the parish of Killyman, Drumglass and Tullyniskin.
The first church built on the site was most likely of stone with at thatched roof, however, records from a Topographical Dictionary of Ireland in 1837 note that the R C Chapel is a neat stone building roofed with slate.
The chapel was reconstructed and renovated in 1930 under the guidance of Dean Michael Quinn. The cost of the work came to £1845-00.
As a result of a bomb explosion on Sunday 29 July 1973 the chapel suffered severe structural damage to the roof and walls. All the windows and doors were destroyed and the altar and gallery were demolished. All of the fixtures and fittings such as seats, stations of the cross and statues were seriously damaged. The Chapel was rebuilt and was officially reopened in July 1975 by His Eminence Cardinal Conway and Monsignor Dean John Quinn.
The Chapel was updated once again in 1986 and on Sunday 28 September 1986 the Bi centenary (200th anniversary)of this little chapel was marked by a special concelebrated Mass with His Eminence Cardinal Tomás O'Fiaich as princiapl celebrant.