Church of Christ the King, Turners Cross – Cork’s Art-Deco Concrete Vision

#mytraveldiary Ambience & Setting Set in the leafy suburb of Turners Cross in Cork, this striking church stands out with its smooth concrete walls, geometric forms, and lofty interior. Built during an era when church architecture in Ireland was still strongly traditional, it embraces modernism — crisp lines, a sense of space, and a luminous sanctuary. Light filters from above through carefully designed windows, bouncing off terrazzo and marble surfaces. While its scale gives presence, the layout still feels welcoming, prayerful, and grounded in spiritual purpose.  ⸻ Highlights • Innovative Architecture – Designed by Barry Byrne, a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was among the first Irish churches built entirely from concrete, and one of the earliest large-scale uses of reinforced concrete in the country.  • Christ the King Sculpture – A large sculpture by John Maguire, based on designs by American sculptor John Storrs, above the main entrance. It integrates with the entrance doors in an impressive manner.  • Interior Finish & Materials – Terrazzo and marble finishes, a suspended ceiling of significant proportions (one of the largest in Europe), seating for ~1,200 persons.  • Art-Deco & Modernist Style Elements – Geometric symmetry in form and ornament; emphasis on light, space, minimal decorative excess; strong influence from Byrne’s interest in Wright’s architecture.  ⸻ Practical Info • Location: Evergreen Road, Turners Cross, Cork, Ireland.  • Parish & Services: The parish was established in 1957; the church holds weekday and weekend Masses.  • Accessibility: The church is accessible to people with mobility limitations; hearing assistance loop in place.  • Built / Opened: Construction began around 1929; completed and opened on the Feast of Christ the King (25 October 1931).  ⸻ Why It’s Worth Visiting It’s rare to encounter a church from this period in Ireland that not only dared to use concrete so boldly, but also to adopt an architectural vocabulary more associated with the modern movement. Christ the King is a living example of that shift. The scale, light, materials and craftsmanship combine to make it more than just a place of worship—it is a landmark of design in Cork. Even if you’re not religious, the experience of the space, the sculpture, the light, and the story resonates strongly. ⸻ Final Thoughts If you visit, go at a time when sunlight enters through the high windows — late morning or early afternoon—to see how shadows and light play across the concrete walls and marble floors. Allow time to step back and view the entrance façade with the sculpture, then move inside and sit quietly, absorbing acoustics, lines, and surfaces. Take photos but also allow moments just to soak in the human ambition, creativity, and faith that shaped this modernist church.