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A brief history of our Parish The parish of St Mary's on the Hill was established on the 15th July 1969 when the then Bishop of Down & Connor diocese, Dr William Philbin divided Whitehouse parish into the parishes of St Gerard�s, St Mary�s Greencastle St James� Whiteabbey, Whitehouse and Greencastle and Saint Mary's on the Hill
In time for its centennial celebrations the church received a much needed refurbishment. The roof was replaced and as well as a major interior re-design, a porch was added. In 1988 to meet the needs of a growing congregation, our second church was opened and quickly became the center of our community. Saint Bernard's was built to replace a temporary structure which had been erected on the site until a permanent church could be built (Mass had been said here from early in the life of the parish). This original building still stands and has served us well during our recent crisis, as mass has again been said there. The church at Saint Bernard's was a modern building, light and airy, yet felt like it had always been there. Our third Church was opened in 1984 and dedicated to Saint MacNissi. Although smaller than the others it performs a vital role in the parish and services there have a more intimate family feeling.
Unfortunately on the 11th June 2001
Saint Bernard's church
(pictured below) was totally destroyed by arsonists. (Click
here for BBC Report
REAL Player)
The
parish was shocked and could not comprehend why some one would wish
to do this. Our Parish Priest Father Dan Whyte, on a BBC news report
gave reassurance and hope
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Saint
Mary�s on the Hill church (pictured left) has been a landmark
in Glengormley for over 100 years. The original church was built by
Fr James Hamill (the first Parish Priest of Whitehouse) and was
dedicated by Bishop Henry on the 15th August 1897. The
bell-tower was capped, perhaps to be added at a later date, as with
her sister church, Saint Mary's Star of the Sea, Whitehouse. Saint
Mary's Star of the Sea had a bell-tower added at the time Saint
Mary's on the Hill was being built. 
Work began on the new
church almost immediately and eighteen months (to the day)
saw the opening of the new church (pictured below). We
have been humbled by the sincere support and generosity
shown to us from many people near and far and feel the
incident
has united both religious communities in this area and
strengthened our faith.
