The Parish of Killea, Crooke and Faithlegg is one of forty-four parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford & Lismore and comprises the eastern-most part of the diocese and the eastern edge of the County of Waterford.
The parish comprises the townlands of Cheekpoint, Faithlegg, Coolbunia, Ballycanvan, Kilcullen, Carriglea, Parkswood, Ballynabola, Passage East, Knockroe, Crooke, Glebe, Knockparson, Kill St Nicholas, Cross, Carricksaggart, Barristown, Ballyvoreen, Drumrusk, Newtown, Raheen, Ballydavid, Cooltegin, Kilcop, Dromina, Woodstown, Ballinkina, Rossduff, Ballyloughmore, Ballyglan, Kilmacomb, Harristown, Knockavelish, Falloon, Forenaught, Creadan, Liccaun, Killea, Killawlan, Ascurra, Leperstown, Knockacurrin, Ballymabin, Dunmore East, Graiguearidda, Coxtown, Portally and Knockenpadden, and part of Knockhouse.
At one time there were seven churches and parishes in this area but, by the eighteenth century, three parishes remained and today those three make up the one parish of Killea, Crooke and Faithlegg.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Killea, is situated a kilometre north-east of the fishing village of Dunmore East and was built in the early nineteenth century prior to Catholic Emancipation.
The Church of St Nicholas, Faithlegg, is situated to the north of the parish and was built in 1824 with the spire being added about 1837. Close by stand the ruins of an ancient Cistercian church.
The Church of St John the Baptist, Crooke, stands on the eastern shore of the parish and is the newest of the three churches, being built after the 1840s. The area has connections with the Knights Templars going back to the fourteenth century and to the Knights Hospitallers who came after them.
Schools: There are also three National Schools in the parish under the patronage of the Bishop of Waterford & Lismore:
Realt na Mara National School: Junior Campus in Dunmore East Village, and Senior Campus in Killea Village.
Faithlegg National School: Coolbunnia.
Passage East National School: Crooke.