The Indian Orthodox Church community that worships at Carrick-on-Suir's former Franciscan Friary Church is fundraising to help pay for renovations to the 19th century building that needs a new heating system, extra toilet facilities and repairs to its leaky roof.
The managing committee of St Kuriakose Indian Orthodox Church has set up the Connect Campaign Church Development & Renovation GoFundMe page as part of its fundraising effort to upgrade the church at Friary Hill, Carrickbeg.
Fr Ninan P. Kuriakose, the church’s vicar-in-charge, said they set up the GoFundMe page on October 19 to deal with the “financial crisis” facing their community due to the renovation works needed on the church building.
Carrick-on-Suir Development Association sold the church building the Franciscan Order donated to the community group in 2007 to the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church last year.
It reopened as the St Kuriakose Indian Orthodox Church on November 22 and 23, 2024 serving as a place of worship for the Indian Orthodox community in south Tipperary and neighbouring regions.
It is also a cultural and community hub for local Indian Orthodox Christians, many of whom live in Clonmel and work in Tipperary University Hospital.
Fr Kuriakose said their congregation comprises about 34 families living ni south Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny.
He pointed out the initial GoFundMe target is to raise €10,000 to finance the first phase of the church’s renovations that will be the top priority works of replacing the old heating system and carrying out essential roof repairs to stop leaks before the severe winter weather.
Repair works have already started on a damaged exterior wall of the church.
A total of €4,142 has, so far, been raised through the GoFundMe page.
Once the managing committee raises the €10,000 for the first phase works, it will move onto to fundraising for a further €65,000 for the remaining refurbishment works.
These works include replacing the church roof, installing toilet facilities for people with disabilities, providing a disabled parking space and a wheelchair accessible ramp.
Fr Kuriakose said their plans to increase the number of religious services at the church have been put on hold because of their current financial crisis and need for renovation works.
In view of the former Friary church's long association with Carrick-on-Suir, he appealed to local people to support the fundraising campaign for its refurbishment.
St Molleran’s Catholic Church is situated opposite St Kuriakose Indian Orthodox Church. Fr Kuriakose said Fr John Fortune, PP of Carrickbeg/Wingap parish is very friendly with their community and kindly included their fundraising appeal in the parish newsletter.
Carrick-on-Suir Development Association sold the former Friary church to the Malankara Orthodox Church as the building had lain vacant for some years.
When the sale of the building was announced COSDA Chairman Niall Walsh said it very important to the association that a new use for the Friary was found to save it from becoming derelict and vandalised.
Part of the sale agreement was that the new owners would maintain the graveyard around the church and keep the grounds open for local people to visit the graves of loved ones.
Carrick's Franciscan Friary Church closed on Easter Saturday 2006 due to falling vocations, ending 680 years of the Frianciscan Order’s presence in the town.
The Malankara Orthodox Church was established by St Thomas in India in the 1st Century AD. Its presence in Ireland began in the 1970s with a small number of families, primarily medical professionals.
The church is named in honour of the early Christian martyrs, St Kuriakose and his mother St. Julitta.