Middle Killeavy is a very young parish. In fact we only came into being in September 1996. Yet our history goes back much further. Our mother parish is Upper Killeavy and that is where our history began.

Very Reverend J.P. Canon Toner, P.P. Upper Killeavy (commonly called Cloghogue Parish) had the vision and foresight to build a new Church for his parishioners who lived in the lower end of his extensive parish. It took courage and foresight to undertake this building at that time due to the post war year restrictions.

Kenneth J. Kenny was appointed as architect. The church was a simple rectangular construction with a stylish arched doorway with a niche above with the statue of Our Lady. The interior which was bright and airy was beautifully enhanced by blue and crimson toned stained glass windows, icon type script and Passion scenes. The sanctuary canopy shows the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove.

The original maple and terrazzo flooring is now covered by carpet. Another wooden feature, namely the gallery front and the seating for 650, is in African mahogany. The Stations of the Cross have a background of Gold Leaf Mosaic with figures silhouetted in coloured mosaic. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour shrine has been moved and is now situated along the right hand side. This shrine along with so many other items was donated and the names of the donors are recorded on a bronze plaque in the porch.

Sunday 31st October 1954 (Feast of Christ the King) was a day of great joy when our new church 'Sancta Maria Assumpta' (St. Mary of the Assumption) was solemnly blessed by His Eminence John, Cardinal D'Alton, Primate of All Ireland. Canon Toner thanked all who contributed towards the erection of the new church, he especially thanked His Eminence Cardinal D’Alton who agreed to the erection of the church and contributed generously toward the cost. The church is locally referred to as Dromalane church.

The first wedding ceremony to be solemnised in our church, was that of Theresa, fourth daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael McKeown of 1 Dromalane Park, and Raymond, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Carroll, 125 Dromalane Park.

As each decade unfolded improvements were made. The present sacristy and parish rooms were extended and upgraded. The beautiful altar rails were tastefully placed along the back wall of the Sanctuary

Over the last fifty years there has been expensive housing developments, namely, Dromalane Park, Fathom Park, The Glen, Glen Hill Park, Barcroft Park, Hawthorne Hill, Pine Grove, Lisdrumliska, Quayside Close, Dublin Road, Carnegat area, Chancellors's Road and Corrinshego. So what had once been a fledging area was now a major urban conurbation, with increasing needs, bringing about the decision to establish us as a parish. We still have many links with Upper Killeavy. For example, some ministries are still working jointly and many of our deceased family members are buried in Cloghogue graveyard.

We are indebted to his Eminence Cardinal Cahal B. Daly, for his confidence in establishing our parish and to his Grace, Archbishop Seán Brady and His Lordship, Bishop Gerard Clifford for their foresight in appointing Very Rev. Fr.
Peter McParland, Administrator, Fr. Patrick Hannigan, Fr. John Burns, and Fr. John Hand, who had the arduous task of building the framework of our new parish. The re-ordering and re-dedication of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in October 1999 was a fitting response to its new status as parish of Middle Killeavy.

The Church was artistically adapted to serve the liturgical requirements of today. The church was fitted out with a new altar, confessional room, not to mention the very beautiful mosaic floors for both the new baptismal font and the requiem space.

The mosaic depicts the flowing waters of death and life, where when baptised we die and become reborn in Christ. Symmetrically, on the other side of the sanctuary to emphasise the link with baptism, is the requiem space indicated by another tiled floor mosaic this time depicting the cross and shroud. Here the mortal remains stand in a place of honour.

In the Jubilee Year 2000, a fitting memorial for deceased infants in the form of a Jubilee Cross was placed on the exterior wall of the Parish Centre and this was solemnly dedicated by His Eminence Cahal B. Daly on 10th November 2000.

In response to an invitation from Archbishop Seán Brady, a Marist team consisting of three Marist Fathers, Frs. Edwin McCallion, Paddy Stanley and Michael Maher, and three Marist Sisters, Srs. Brenda Dodd, Elsie Gilmartin, and Caitriona Ryan, assumed responsibility for our parish on 5th April 2002. Already they have made a deep impression on all of the parishioners.

The parish celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Church on Sunday 21st November 2004 at 3 pm with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Seán Brady. On the altar were native priests of the parish, representatives of neighbouring parishes, the three Marist priests and the Marist Provincial Fr. John Hannan. The Entrance Procession included members of parish ministry groups, social groups, community groups and sporting groups carrying banners or appropriate symbols. Music was provided by the Senior and Junior Choirs.
After the homily we lit Jubilee candles and professed a Renewal of Faith and Commitment to the Gospel. Among the hundreds who attended the ceremony were former and present parishioners. This joyful and historic moment in the life of the parish was followed by a reception in St. Malachy's Primary School Carnagat.

Other celebrations included a Triduum in honour of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception from Sunday 5th to Tuesday December 7th at 7.30 pm, conducted by Fr. Michael Maher, s.m. The Triduum was very well attended and on the final night a small statue of Our Lady was presented to each family. Also a parish Dinner Dance was held in Newry Golf Inn on Friday February 4th 2005 at 8 p.m. Dancing to "Flashpoint."