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One of Belfast’s most striking churches has undergone a 15-month renovation, and now it is ready to show its red-brick facade to worshippers once again, writes PAUL CLEMENTS

FR MARTIN GRAHAM beams with understandable pride as he surveys the shiny new interior of St Malachy’s Church, one of Belfast’s most striking buildings. Since the beginning of last year the church, tucked away in Alfred Street, a five-minute walk from the City Hall, has been shrouded in scaffolding. Squads of builders moved in to take over the church for the biggest renovation in its 165-year history, and the parishioners moved out. The building was closed and services were held in the parish hall and nearby primary school.