Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rowe St. - Wexford Camino
Rowe Street Church, Wexford Town
The Church of the Immaculate Conception and St John is one of Wexford’s twin churches.
The foundation stone was laid in 1851 and the first mass was said there on April 25th 1858, one week after the Church of the Assumption its “twin” in Bride Street. it is made of local red sandstone and Wicklow granite. A statue of Fr James Roche, the founder of the churches stands in the grounds.
The magnificent stained glass east window was donated by the Behan family. Mr. Behan was principal of the Diocesan school, where Fr Roche was educated.
It is interesting to note that the money collected for these churches was done at a time when large areas of Ireland were devastated by famine.
Prayer
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, did prepare a worthy habitation for Thy Son, we beseech Thee, that as by the foreseen death of that same Son, Thou did preserve her from all stain, so too thou would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
