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Oldest Catholic Church in Belfast remains closed for Mass after delay to building work

St Mary's Church in Belfast remains closed, with Masses being celebrated in the Living Youth building next door. Picture by Hugh Russell
St Mary's Church in Belfast remains closed, with Masses being celebrated in the Living Youth building next door. Picture by Hugh Russell St Mary's Church in Belfast remains closed, with Masses being celebrated in the Living Youth building next door. Picture by Hugh Russell

MASSES will not be celebrated inside the oldest Catholic Church in Belfast this weekend after a delay to building work.

It had been hoped that St Mary's in the city centre would re-open for Mass after months of renovations.

However, the church will be closed until Wednesday and Masses will continue to be celebrated at the Living Youth building, beside the church in Chapel Lane, which has been the venue for Mass since July 17.

Fr James Boyle, the administrator of St Mary's, told The Irish News: "With the weather it has got delayed and we are waiting on some things arriving for the exterior of the church. It should be the first or second week of September that the church re-opens for Mass."

St Mary's, where Mass was first celebrated in 1784, has been undergoing both external and internal restoration since May.

The total renovation work is expected to total more than £300,000 and includes the complete replacement of the main roof coverings and the laying of additional paving around the grotto outside the church.