Protestantism in Castlemagner

The first Protestant Church in Castlemagner was converted from the early Roman Catholic church (circa 800) that was attached to the old Gaelic settlement of Munemanarrach (shrubbery of the sheepfold).

The majority of the ruling classes in Cork ignored the reformation in England (1543) even though they had all signed for the Act of Supremacy (1560). They conveniently ignored its contents and openly practised the Roman Catholic religion. Although all the leading families who took part in the unsuccessful Fitzmaurice rebellion in 1579 got the Queen’s pardon, allowing them to hold on to their land, property and titles, they were forced to adopt the Protestant religion. Edmond Magner became the first Protestant vicar of the old Gaelic church which was now for Protestant worship only.

The church was damaged during the Williamite wars and a replacement church was started in Ballygiblin park in the area now occupied by the former John. A. Woods quarry. For some reason, this church was never completed and is known locally as The Monastery. The church at Castlemagner was repaired and refurbished after the wars although there remained a problem with one area of the floor – there was a spring rising in it !

In 1679, a silver cup and a silver paten was donated to Castlemagner parish. The engraving on the silver cup read:

This cup belongs to the parish of Castlemagner 1679.

From 1713 to 1799 Castlemagner and Ballyclough parishes were amalgamated. A new parish register was started in 1809. The present rectory was built in 1813 at a cost of £738 9s 2d of this amount £ 276 18s 5 1/2d was granted by the Board of First Fruits by way of gift and £ 461 10s 4d was given by way of a loan. This loan was payable by annual installments of £18 16s 4d.

The present Protestant church, on the site of the present graveyard, was built in 1816 at a cost of £461 10s 9d granted by way of a loan from the Board of First Fruits and payable in annual installments of £11 16s 4d. The church and rectory shared a ½ acre site. There was no approach to the rectory from the road except through land rented by the vicar from Lord Limerick.

In 1860 the tithes for Castlemagner were £303 15s 11d. In 1887 a vestry room was added and a heating system installed in the church. In 1877 Clonmeen and Castlemagner Protestant parishes were amalgamated. The four churches in the union were dedicated to St. Brigid. In 1898, Kilbrin and Liscarroll Protestant churches were amalgamated into Castlemagner parish. In 1900 a chancel, pulpit and prayer base were added, all of which were dedicated as a memorial to Sir Henry Beecher. This was to express thanks for the monies which came from an endowment levied on Beecher land. The sum transferred to the church was £130 per annum.

The church in Castlemagner from Gaelic times was dedicated to St. Brigit. The Castlemagner Church of Ireland parochial records are held in the Public Records Office in Dublin. There are 3 volumes;

1. baptism 1810-1905
2. marriages 1809-1844
3. deaths 1809-1906

In 1903 the church in Castlemagner was greatly improved. A tessellated pavement, solid marble steps, oak pulpit, reading desk, lectern, communion table and rail were added. In addition, the roof was opened up and a pitch-pine dado placed around the inside of the church and a roof of the same material. All this was done at the expense of Sir John Beecher with aid from Rev. H. Swansea (rector) and a grant from the Beresford fund.

The church was used for regular service until 1970 when the incumbent rector Reverend Hill retired.