THE oldest Catholic Church in Belfast has re-opened for Mass after being closed for almost two months.
Masses were celebrated at St Mary's, in Chapel Lane, at the weekend for the first time since mid-July.
For most of the past two months Mass had been celebrated at the Living Youth building, beside the church in Chapel Lane.
St Mary's, where Mass was first celebrated in 1784, has been undergoing both external and internal restoration since May, but the work outside the church is not yet complete.
Bishop Noel Treanor is set to be in attendance at the official re-opening, expected to be in December at the vigil Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, with a candlelit procession to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.
In a bulletin notice to parishioners, the priests expressed thanks for the "continued patience and understanding during this time of upheaval" and said that "difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations".
Father John Nevin told The Irish News: "The grotto has not yet been completed. The recent weather has put paid to that, and it'll probably take another couple of weeks."
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.
