However, in 1908 a full refurbishment of the Long Tower took place which included addition of new stained-glass windows, statues, shrines, baptismal font and the reposition of the High Altar and the introduction of a new sacristy.

On the morning of 8 January 1934 a perimeter wall of the cemetery, facing Lecky Road, collapsed, causing a landslide of a section of the graveyard.

[citation needed] The construction of St Eugene's Cathedral in 1873 as the mother church of the diocese didn't change people's feelings for the Long Tower.

[4] In 1964, a temporary wooden altar was constructed and installed in the sanctuary to accommodate Mass being said facing the people.

The previous administrator of Long Tower, Father Roland Colhoun, was appointed curate to the Derry parish of Glendermott.

[8][9][10][11] Bishop McKeown announced on 15 September 2021 the appointment of Father Patrick Baker as the new Long Tower administrator.

[14] On Sunday 1 October 2023, Bishop McKeown appointed the newly ordained Father Stephen Ward to serve as curate in the Long Tower parish.

[15][16][17][18][19][20] Mass Times Confessions Eucharistic Adoration Baptisms The church celebrated its centenary on St Columba's Day, 9 June 2009.

Since June 2008, the church has had a memorial installed dedicated to a former Bishop of Derry, Raymond O'Gallagher, who was martyred in 1601 in Claudy, County Londonderry, water fonts in the balcony area of the church repaired, the old water font next to Our Lady's grotto repaired, the tablets on the church floor which gives visitors information of where the High Altars where originally placed repaired, renovation of statues and the unveiling of the renovated tomb of former Bishop of Derry, John Keys O'Doherty.

Starting on Monday 17 November 2008, the three grand panels of the High Altar in the Long Tower Church, which depict Christ ascending into heaven flanked on either side by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, were taken down and transported to Belfast for urgent repair and renovation.

The panels are made of lead and a recent expert survey concluded that they were dangerous and were in urgent need of repair.

Opus sectile (pronounced “seck-teel-ay”) is the Latin name for a series of opalescent painted glass “tiles”, first used by the ancient Romans on luxury floors.

[23] A special Mass to commemorate the centenary was celebrated on 9 June 2009 with then-Papal Legate, Cardinal Keith O'Brien attending.

After the evening Mass on Tuesday 9 June 2009 the annual blessing of Saint Columba's well occurred, which is located a short distance from the church in the Bogside.

[24] It was announced on 23 August 2009 that the current Long Tower parochial house would now become the home of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who are setting up a community in Derry.

This means the parish priests and staff will move their parochial house to the Convent of Mercy in Pump Street, which is located within the city walls of Derry.

Details were published in the parish bulletin which read - "We are delighted to announce that works to the Church are beginning this week.

A special prize draw entitled SOS Save Our Stonework was launched and by May 2018 sufficient money was raised for repair and restoration work to commence.