Lawrence McConville: Belfast architect who reinvented the design of the Catholic Church

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LAWRENCE McConville was a leading figure in the generation of Irish architects who reimagined what Catholic churches might look like after Vatican Council II.

As a child growing up in South Belfast, he was familiar with the traditional cross-shaped churches where the congregation was distant and separated from the priest, with his back turned as he delivered the liturgy in Latin.

In the 1960s, however, the focus shifted considerably to involving lay people, and the layout of church buildings began to change accordingly.

As an original member of the Catholic Church‘s Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture, Lawrence was at the forefront of a group of professionals who responded to this challenge.

Perhaps its most famous building is the Catholic Chaplaincy of Queen’s University, which earned it the rare distinction of having achieved historic monument status during the architect’s lifetime.

In addition to skillfully incorporating modern design into the sensitive location of Elmwood Avenue, the clever use of glass allowed the beautiful chapel at the rear to be visible from the outside – reflecting the new spirit of opening of Vatican II.

The Catholic Chaplaincy building at Queen’s University, Belfast. Photo by Cliff Donaldson


A Mass at the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University brought together former members of the Chaplaincy Choir. Photo by Paul Flanagan

New internal dynamics were also used with striking effect in the Chapel of the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Cookstown, a project which won much praise and has remained a source of personal pride.

Its square, open design brought people together in the immediate vicinity of the altar, and the building was also notable for incorporating artwork from the design stage, including stained glass windows by Patrick Pye. This symbiotic approach would be a defining characteristic of Lawrence’s work.

Other church projects included the Holy Family at Coalisland; Sainte-Anne, Derriaghy; St Patrick’s, La Tresse; and the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Carryduff.


Church of the Holy Family, Coalisland

Lawrence was also tasked with reorganizing the shrine at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh and rebuilding St Colmcille’s, Holywood after a fire in 1989.

Its warm and welcoming design, incorporating the original stone spire and steeple, reflected an appetite for a less purist approach to form and materials.


St Colmcille’s Church in Holywood, County Down. Photo by Hugh Russell


The interior of St Colmcille Church, Co Down

All of these projects were informed by his own devout faith and his deep interest in how the liturgy could be enhanced by an architectural setting.

Born in 1930, Lawrence grew up on Ormeau Road in Belfast and was a student at St Malachy’s College before studying architecture in Edinburgh, while spending summers exploring Europe, often with his brother Father Gerry.

Back home, he developed a successful partnership known originally as Cosgrave, Rooney and McConville and later Rooney and McConville.

In addition to his work on churches, he designed schools and other parish buildings as well as the normal range of houses and other commissions.

His colleagues cherished his wit, wisdom and patience and said he treated the firm like family, always available to offer support on a personal and professional level.

With Fr. Gerry, he will contribute articles on the liturgy in the clerical publication The groove.

He also had a close relationship with the Koinoina John The Baptist community for two decades, making his former office space on Upper Crescent available for community activities.

Lawrence married Edith Kathleen Jeffers in 1967 and they had two daughters, Michelle and Adrienne, and a son, Jon.

He also adored his 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who have fond memories of their weekends in Strangford Lough, the Curzon Cinema, Belfast Zoo and the Ulster Museum.

They said he had a tremendous ability to understand people, their strengths and their differences.

“We will never forget the values ​​he taught us: to share, to be generous, to be curious and to have an open mind. intervene with an attentive ear and sound advice. “

Lawrence lost his wife in 2005, but lived independently until February of that year when he moved to Nazareth House Care Village.

He died on September 7 and was buried after funeral mass at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Carryduff, surrounded by those he loved and a building he himself had lovingly designed .


The interior of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Carryduff

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