Parishioners survey the damage

The police said they were treating it as suspicious. They found matches in the grounds.

Minister of the church Reverend Gordon Best said the community was shocked by what had happened.

"By the time I got to the church it was completely ablaze. It is just completely gutted now," he said.

"There will be a tremendous sense of shock as it is a very close knit community."

Mr Best said that community relations in the area were good and that the attack was completely unexpected.

The Catholic Bishop of Dromore, Dr John McAreavey, expressed his sympathies with the congregation of Newmills Presbyterian Church.

He said: "We appreciate the pain and desolation that this act of wanton vandalism has caused to them.

"Such an act is an offence against God and our neighbour and we condemn it unreservedly."

United Unionist assembly member Denis Watson said it appeared to have been started after someone broke in through the back of the building.

He added: "I would condemn the wanton destruction and violence towards this beautiful church."

Loyalist graffiti

Meanwhile, within ten miles of the fire, a Catholic church at Ballyargan, near Scarva in County Down, was daubed with loyalist graffiti.

The attack on the isolated St Patrick's Church was the latest in a series over the years, including break-ins and a firebombing six years ago.

In the latest incident the slogans, "Roll on Drumcree 2001" and "Power to the Prods" were written on the newly-painted wall along with "LVF" (Loyalist Volunteer Force).

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon denounced the "shameful" attack.

Mr Mallon, deputy leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and outgoing Newry and Armagh MP said other people were "manly enough to stand up and openly state their views".

He added: "The people behind this offensive graffiti were only brave enough to do it by stealth on someone else's property, offending every decent person's sense of fair play."

Trouble in Portadown

The attacks followed disturbances in Portadown, County Armagh, where tensions are high in the run-up to Drumcree march which is the most controversial parade in the loyal Orange Order's marching season.

A lighted bonfire was used to block the road

On Monday evening a police officer was in injured when a group of up to 70 youths threw petrol bombs and missiles at the RUC.

The trouble flared hours after the Orange Order announced it was to re-enter talks with residents of the nationalist Garvaghy Road over their disputed annual parade from Drumcree Church in July.

A bonfire was also used to block the Corcrain Road.

Police officers trying to remove the obstruction came under attack from the group.

The injured officer sustained head injuries in the attack.