Cathedral of Christ the King to mark 75 years this September

Plans are well in hand to mark the 75th anniversary of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar. A day of celebration is being organised for Sunday September 7 and leading clerics, not just from Ireland, but from abroad, have been invited to Mullingar to mark the occasion.

As one could imagine, the completion of the construction of the new cathedral was a thing of joy to Mullingar residents. It was uplifting at a time when the prospect of the second great war was looming large.

The dedication of the cathedral was on Sunday September 6, 1936 (the official opening came three years later) and such was the status of the new cathedral that even the Archbishop of St Louis in the United States, Most Rev Dr Glennon, a Kinnegad native, made the journey home. Archbishop Glennon preached the sermon at a Pontifical High Mass, celebrated by Most Rev Dr McNamee, Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, which followed the dedication ceremony conducted by Most Rev Dr Mulvany, Bishop of Meath.

The list of clerical dignitaries, led by the Papal Nuncio, Most Rev Dr Pascal Robinson, was long while the celebrated organist, Philip Doré, provided the musical accompaniment.

Of course the actual construction of the cathedral and the securing of sufficient funding meant that several bishops of Meath played significant roles in providing what is the current cathedral.

It was Most Rev Dr Gaffney who put the plan in train when he assembled the inhabitants of Mullingar to discuss the possibility of providing a larger and more suitable place of worship for parishioners and for the diocese.

At the time a smaller parish church, located in what is now the front lawn of the Cathedral House, was in existence and some thought had been given to extending it sufficiently to accommodate the parish needs.

However, Bishop Gaffney was keen to see a new cathedral constructed and following a positive response from the people of Mullingar, a fund was established. Both he and his successor, Most Rev Dr Gaughran oversaw the fund and ensured it accumulated to the point where, Bishop Mulvany was able to embark on the project.

That was in 1932 and having received the approval of Pope Pius X1, who requested that it be called Christ the King, the project commenced. The cutting of the first sod was performed by Bishop Mulvany on March 31, 1932, but it was not until September 6, 1933 that the foundation stone was laid, again amidst the pomp and splendour of Catholic ritual.

The contract was executed in a speedy and efficient manner, and while the cathedral was not dedicated until September 1939 it had in fact opened its doors to the public in July of that year.

The first Mass, marking the anniversary of the death of former Bishop of Meath, Bishop Gaughran, was celebrated by Very Rev J McKeever, Adm. Once again, July 6 was a joyous day for the parish and over 140 priests took part in the Requiem Office which preceded the High Mass.

From that point on, as work on demolition of the old church continued, the Cathedral became the focus for all religious activity.