Our Parish boasts to having one of the oldest (1785) post Reformation Churches still in use for Catholic worship in Ireland.

Eugene (6th. Century) is associated with Ardstraw from which the parish gets its name. He is always referred to as “Bishop” (Diocesan) as distinct from “Abbot” (Monastic). There is evidence from the 15th. Century of the existence of a Franciscan monastery near Newtownstewart in the townland of “Pubble” (Irish for Church), The graveyard is still there – beside the new by pass. The monastic and parochial structures may have existed side by side with little inter-connection. Both ended with the Plantation of Ulster, and Penal Laws – which are matters beyond the scope of this brief account.

There has been a Catholic Church on the present site at Glenock (Glen of the Horse??) since 1785 when a church was built by Fr Charles McBride, then parish priest of Ardstraw (inc Castlederg and Newtownstewart). According to tradition he lived and then bought a house at Dick’s Gate where he may have celebrated Mass – not as is popularly held under the chestnut tree, which is almost as prominent a landmark as the Church, but is more likely to have been planted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its building. It is worth noting that nearby Baronscourt castle was built the following year at a cost of £20,000.00. The original church was a rectangular building with a thatched roof, no seats or pews. Census figures (1766) show that there were then 622 families in the whole parish. Ardstraw East became a separate parish with Fr Higgins its first Parish Priest in 1799. A stone building with 12 windows and 3 galleries (interconnected) was built 1n 1823, under the supervision of Fr Philip Porter P.P.. Most of the labour was voluntary and folklore has it that the local (mainly Protestant) landowners allowed their Catholic labourers to borrow their horses for hauling the stones (locally gathered) to the site. The steeple and belfry (originally wooden) was added in 1834 and the 330lb Bell was the first (ahead of Armagh by two weeks) to be rung in a Catholic Church in Ulster since the Plantation. Fr. W. Hegarty had the church remodelled in 1861 (cost £807.00). The Stations of the Cross were purchased by Fr John Keys O’Doherty in 1871 – having been granted permission of same by Bishop Francis O’ Kelly whom he was to succeed as Bihsop in 1890. The field and house at Moyle road was bought for the parish in 1885 by Fr. W. T. O’Doherty who loaned his own money to the parish to make part payment. Glenock graveyard was consecrated in 1903. In 1909 the wooden spire was clad in copper.

Fr John McGowan oversaw a major job, remarkable in that it was planned at the end of the war when all materials were in short supply, and completed in 1949 when "money was tight and times were bad." The work included a new roof, marble Altar and rails, (presented by Mr Fred Roche) and extension to the sacristy.

To show their gratitude and affection for Fr. McGowan on the occasion of the 50th. Anniversary of his Ordination, the parishioners funded the installation of Electric lighting and oil-fired central heating to St. Eugene’s in 1960

In 1975 Fr Feeney had plans drawn up for a chapel at Moyle Road to replace St Eugene's. He met serious opposition from a section of parishioners and he was replaced as Parish Priest by Fr Desmond Mullan who had a great love for the old church. He writes "Last year, 1976 the people expressed a strong preference for renovating Glenock …. It speaks to us of an underprivileged and impoverished community in bygone days and of the efforts of successive generations to adapt the building and make it more fitting for its sacred purpose ”rather than build a new church." Bishop Edward Daly at the solemn rededication commented “"It is really a splendid and most tasteful job. It is obvious now that it would have been a disastrous decision to close down or demolish that church." These works were tangible evidence of great loyalty to the old Church Building, though some argue that the only reason we had an old church was that we never built a new one. The rapid social and religious changes of the last quarter of the 20th century reinforced the need for change. Fr Michael Mullan, faced with the progressive deterioration of St. Eugene's, more frequent flooding at Glenock, dwindling attendance at Masses, and reluctance to walk along an increasingly dangerous, unlit, ill maintained road, began planning for a new Church at Moyle Road. His planning was at an advanced stage when Fr Kearney (the present Parish Priest) was appointed in 1995 “to take on the responsibility for building a new Church in Newtownstewart”. He took a different approach. (See The New Oratory below)

The spire (re-covered in 1977) suffered severe storm damage on Christmas eve 1999 and was practically rebuilt and re-clad with copper in 2001, total cost £55,000.00. A new heating system was installed in 2000, (£30.300.00) to compensate the loyal parishioners who felt left out in the cold with the opening of the new warm St. Mary’s Oratory in the Main street.

If St. Eugene’s was one of the first Catholic Churches to be built post reformation, it also has the dubious distinction of having been one of the last to suffer a sectarian bombing (22 July 1991). Fortunately there were no injuries and this incident provided the impetus for a complete exterior repainting (to the original white) 2 new porches with Stained Glass windows, improved access and provision for people with mobility difficulties. The surrounding ground levels were lowered, tarmac covered, and, with the co-operation of Roads Service drainage was provided beneath the road to the river. This dramatically reduced the problem of flooding, and goes some way towards securing continued use of the building for future generations.

There are many obvious signs of the alterations and renovations. The most obvious are the different sizes, shapes and styles of doors, windows and roof pitch. Despite, or maybe because of this, the building was given status of grade B+ listed. While this may suggest something of value it has its downside. There are strict guidelines for preservation of listed buildings, but very little in the way of practical help or financial support for their upkeep or improvement.

St. Eugene’s Parochial hall at the Backburn was built in, at a time when parishes all over the country were conscious of the need to provide a place of meeting and entertainment for a more mobile and affluent population. It soon became famous as the place for high quality musical entertainment, especially its annual Pantomimes; many other social and fund-raising activities, especially Bingo, and its Youth Club. The first Drama Festival was held in 1994 and still prospers as an annual event under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland. It too went through numerous alterations and repairs, the latest in 2008 involved major repairs to the roof, provision of access for disabled. The stage, including sound and lighting was modernised and improved, grounds tarmaced and new entrance and fencing installed (total cost circa £130,000.00).