Parish of Arles

St. Abban’s Church is dated back to c. 1850, making it the oldest existing church in our parish. It is rectangular by design, made of stone, and enjoys a tower to add to its presence, which was a later addition. A striking feature of this lovely church is the beautiful and dramatic stained glass window to the rear of the sanctuary area depicting the Crucifixion of our Lord. The church was renovated in 1972, with particular attention given to restoring the roof. The sanctuary area was reordered and new congregational seating was added to the church at this time.

On 29th June 1969 Dr. Patrick Lennon, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin, opened the new church in Ballylinan. Built upon a donated site, the church sits in a central location on the Main Street of the village. A modern construction for its time the church is hexagonal in shape and constructed of steel and cavity brick walls. Incorporated into the internal layout and design are elements of the old church in the village. The altar, tabernacle, Stations of the Cross, baptismal font and church bell all found a new home in the new church.

In 2019, in preparation for its Golden Jubilee, the church was once more renovated. The sanctuary area was enhanced, one of the confessionals was removed and a restored stained glass window from the original church was illuminated in a new prayer space. A new baptistry was also created for the original baptism font. It now enjoys a bespoke stained glass backdrop of the biblical scene of the Baptism of Our Lord.