St. Macartan’s church in Augher has claimed the top UK-wide title of Church of the Year 2022 at the inaugural National Church Awards.

The historic church in the heart of the Clogher Valley came out top from more than 180 nominations around the UK, with an awards ceremony in London singling out St. Macartan’s for the combined strength of its approach to looking after the building, the involvement of local people as volunteers, and the way that St. Macartan’s is promoted as part of the heritage of Co. Tyrone.

That wasn’t the only win for St. Macartan’s on the night – in addition to taking the top Church of the Year award, it also won the Northern Ireland category in the Naylor Awards for Excellence in Church Maintenance, and a cash prize of £2,500.

St. Macartan’s church (The Forth Chapel), Augher, Co. Tyrone in the heart of the Clogher Valley, dates from 1838-1846 and was once the cathedral of the Roman Catholic diocese of Clogher.

The church is famous for its gorgeous Clarke Studio stained glass windows, installed in 1922, which have recently been restored as part of a major heritage project led by Martin McKenna.

Hugh Dennis, comedian, presenter and actor was joined by Rev. Canon Ann Easter, a former chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, for the ceremony held before a specially invited audience of church and heritage lovers on Monday at the historic Mercers’ Company Livery Hall in the City of London.

In selecting St. Macartan’s as the overall winner, judges noted how impressed they were by how the recent restoration project proved to be a catalyst for the church, creating a real sense of vibrancy with lots of people becoming involved in many aspects of church life.

They said: “There’s a sense of bringing everyone together to share in the activity. It’s wonderful to see an ecumenical project which demonstrates that leadership is a real linchpin to success.

“So often, clergy think that the gutters have nothing to do with their vocation, but it’s great to see their involvement here.”

Congratulating St. Macartan’s and speaking at the awards, Hugh Dennis said: “Packed with history and heritage, centres for vital community support and places for worship and reflection, churches are a beating heart of the nation.

“A huge congratulation to all of the winners of this year’s awards, all of whom love and care for their churches.

“The National Church Awards will inspire others with new ideas to make their churches welcoming, long-lasting and thriving, at the service of all.”

The National Church Awards had winners in four categories: Architecture, Community & Volunteers, Maintenance, and Tourism, with judges choosing winners from over 180 nominations made by churches throughout the UK.

As well as one overall winner in each of the four categories, winners were also chosen in each category for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with every winning church receiving an aluminium plaque to display.

The National Church Awards, run by The National Churches Trust, are supported by The Pilgrim Trust, The Marsh Charitable Trust, The Mercers’ Company, Ecclesiastical Insurance and the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association.