St Columba’s Church, Drung is currently undergoing a considerable overhaul in which it will receive a new roof and floor among other repairs.
St. Columba’s was built in 1871 close to the site of an earlier church. The Most Rev. Dr Kelly, Bishop of Derry dedicated the church on Sunday, October 5, 1871 The Parish Priest at the time was the Rev. Michael Farnan. The contractors, Messrs Gallagher & Sons from Strand Road, Derry were reputed to have been paid £1100, £430 of which was collected on the day the church was dedicated. Contractors, James Doherty, Buncrana are carrying out the current extensive renovations, however, the bill for the current building work won’t be quite as low as last century’s!Parish secretary, Anne Clarke said: “We badly need the new roof and floor but there is other work being carried out too.“The sacristy will be re-shaped and the whole of the inside of the church will be refurbished.”Ms Clarke said that the church was closed at present while the work is being carried out, but hoped it would reopen on March 29 in time for Easter next, which falls on Sunday April 12. Weekend Masses are currently being celebrated in the Quigley’s Point Community Centre.Renovations are also being carried out at St Mary’s Church, Cockhill, Buncrana. However, Parish Priest, Fr John Walsh said the work taking place there was on a much smaller scale. “We’re just bringing it up to standard. Just a general fixing up really. Nothing too huge at all!” he said.The current revamps follow the completion of renovation work at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Inch.