Our Lady of the Valley Church in Glann, Oughterard, has been open since 1960 after replacing the original church dedicated to St Brigid, which was built in 1852.
The church holds a special place in the community’s heart, serving as the venue for christenings, marriages and funerals for the local area for over 65 years.
However, mounting financial pressures have meant that the church is now facing the prospect of closure unless an adequate amount of funding is raised.
The church is appealing to the community of Oughterard and beyond for their support.
A GoFundMe has been launched by the church with a target of €4,500, however the fundraising committee have explained that they will need more than three times that amount over the next year to cover the cost of the replacement heating system and other work to ensure the integrity of the building is protected.
The GoFundMe page reads: “Please help save Our Lady of the Valley Church, Glann, Oughterard. Opened on March 25 1960 Our Lady of the Valley Church has served the community of Glann and its surroundings for over 65 years. The original church, built in 1852, was dedicated to St Brigid.
“The current church which replaced St Brigid’s celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2010 and a major gathering of Glann diaspora descended on the church with the Bishop Martin Drennan of Galway (RIP), Fr Jimmy Walsh pp (RIP) and Glann’s own Fr Sean Manning (RIP).
“The church in Glann is at the centre of the community which has seen many christenings, marriages and funerals of members of the local area over 65 years. Many of the features of the current church were sponsored by families in the locality.
“Due to financial pressure, we are now facing the prospect of Glann Church closing its doors permanently as a house of worship unless we can raise adequate funds to maintain the building on an ongoing basis and pay for certain essential repairs.
“We need €15,000 over the next year to cover the cost of the replacement heating system and other work to ensure the integrity of the building is protected. We will also need funds to address maintenance costs in the future.
“We are appealing to anyone and everyone to help join us in a major fundraising drive to safeguard the future of this beautiful, intimate church, overlooking Lough Corrib.
“With the approval of Fr Michael Connolly pp. we have established this ‘Go Fund Me’ page for Glann Church – to help raise the essential funds to ensure this lovely church remains viable and at the heart of the community. Any funds raised will ultimately feed into the parish of Oughterard but these funds will be specifically earmarked for Glann.
“We are asking everyone to please take the time to contribute to saving Glann Church and to request friends and contacts to join us in this endeavour. The campaign is not just aimed at those with a direct association with Glann but anyone who believes that the church is about keeping rural communities alive and by looking after each other.
“Many thanks - The Glann Church Fundraising Committee.”
You can donate to the fundraiser on the GoFundMe page here.