Coolkelure was originally part of the parish of Fanlobbus, but in 1843 it became a mission district within that parish and was served by a curate with the help of "The Additional Curates' Society". On Saint Patrick's Day, 17th March, 1843, the schoolhouse at Carrigskully owned by Colonel Shuldham, was licensed for divine worship.

As a result of Col. Shuldham's efforts over the next twenty years a church was built at Coolkelure and was consecrated on Tuesday, 15th August, 1865, by Bishop John Gregg. The Bishop and Col. Shuldham contributed £500 each towards the cost of the building. The Bishop also contributed some silver communion plate to the church and provided the stained glass window at the east end of the church. The former mission district was now a parish in its own right.

The Revd E. E. Emerson was the first incumbent of the parish. Before long he was Rural Dean and was seeking contributions to enlarge the church which he felt was too small for the needs of the congregation - 175 on Sunday mornings and 60 in the evening.

We may have cause to be grateful that he was moved to be rector of the more prestigious parish of Ballymodan (Bandon) before his plans were realised, for the church is a delightfully proportioned building, set among mountains, lakes and trees in a beautiful and wild part of County Cork. In late spring the rhododendron bushes around the church give the setting their own special beauty.

The parish is now part of the Fanlobbus Union of parishes. Our Sunday congregation is normally about thirty. On the second Sunday of the month Holy Communion is celebrated at 9.45 a.m. and on the fourth Sunday in the month Morning Prayer is at 12.15 p.m. When there is a fifth Sunday in the month the churches of the Union take it in turns to host a United Service.