The Church of Ireland
News Briefing

CHURCH OF IRELAND NOTES
For Saturday 21st September 2002

From: The RCB Library
Email: RCB Library

Restoration of Drogheda Church

Following an arson attack in May 1999 on St Peter's Church, Drogheda, the rector, the Revd Michael Graham, and the congregation embarked on an ambitious five year programme of conservation, restoration and renewal which, it was estimated, would cost 1.5 million euro. The first part of this programme, which has involved the complete restoration of the church building, has been completed at a cost of one million euro. To mark this achievement the parish will begin a week of celebration and thanksgiving tomorrow (Sunday) with Choral Evensong at 6.30 pm sung by the Lowry Singers. The celebrations will culminate in a Service of Thanksgiving on 29 September when the preacher will be the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames.

The present St Peter's Church stands on the site of a medieval church which was built between 1172 and 1206. This church was demolished in 1748 and the new church, designed by Hugh Darley, was completed in 1752 and dedicated on 22 September. It has been described by architectural historians, Dr Christine Casey and Professor Alistair Rowan, as among the best provincial churches erected in Ireland in the eighteenth century. This year is the 250th anniversary of the dedication of the new St Peter's which is another cause for celebration.

Among the events next week are lunchtime organ recitals and evening concerts. On Wednesday evening local historian, Tom Reilly will speak on "Cromwell and St Peter's" and on Saturday 28 September there will be a recital by the celebrated pianist, John O'Connor. Details of the programme of events for the week of celebration may be found on the parish website at http://drogheda.armagh.anglican.org

Today (Saturday) the Fellowship of Contemplative Prayer will hold a Quiet Day in Holy Trinity Church, Drumbo, where the witness will be the Revd David Ferry, Rector of Donagheady. In St Patrick's Memorial Church, Saul, there will be a public seminar on early Christian Ireland which will include a presentation on "Early Christian Symbols of Ireland" by Michael King, from Down County Museum, and a talk on celtic spirituality from the Revd Dr Johnston McMaster.

In Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, on Tuesday evening, diplomas will be presented to those who have successfully completed the Archbishop's Course in Theology. On Wednesday evening, in the Chapel of the Church of Ireland Theological College, Christopher Woods, a second year ordinand, will be commissioned by the Dean of Christ Church, the Very Revd John Paterson, as a student reader for the Cathedral group of parishes.

On Thursday the Primate will lead the Church of Ireland delegation at the signing of the Church of Ireland-Methodist Covenant which was agreed earlier this year by both the General Synod and the Methodist Conference. The ceremony will take place at Chrome Hill, near Lisburn, where in 1787 John Wesley entwined two beech saplings as a symbol of how he wished the people of the two churches to be. These trees, now fully grown, may still be seen there.

On Friday, in the Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen, the Bishop of Clogher, Dr Michael Jackson, will preside at his first Diocesan Synod. In the evening in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the Diocesan Service for Primary and Junior Schools will be held. The theme of the service will be "Jesus our Rock" and the preacher will be the Rector of Castleknock, the Revd Andrew Orr. Representatives of all primary and junior schools under protestant management in the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough, both teachers and pupils, are invited to attend along with representatives from third level colleges, the Department of Education and teachers' organizations.