27.02.2012
Celebrations in Powerscourt for Dedication of New Rectory and Lych Gate
There was an afternoon of celebration in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, with the dedication of the new Powerscourt rectory and church lych gate. The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson presided over the occasion with a great crowd of well wishers from the parish and beyond looking on.
The ceremony got underway at the lych gate with the Rector of Powerscourt, Archdeacon Ricky Rountree, providing a brief history of church lych gates. He paid tribute to the Powerscourt Flower Guild whose initiative it was to create the beautiful wooden feature which will link the new school, due to be completed at Easter, and the church.
The rector praised Marjorie and Philip Mold for coming up with the idea and thanked local man, Charlie King, who provided the timber. He also complimented the work of Noel Kavanagh, Mark Orr, Brendan Corcoran and Richard and Carol Bert.
Prior to dedicating the lych gate, Archbishop Jackson said it was wonderful to be in Powerscourt for such a joyful occasion. He paid tribute to the rector for using his “ingenuity and genius” in creating the feature. Marjorie Mold cut the ribbon on the gate.
The ceremony then moved to the new eco–friendly rectory. Archdeacon Rountree explained that the project began with the idea of housing the rectory family but also with it being used as a parish house. He said the new house was very user friendly and also wide open and welcoming.
He thanked the architect, Stephen Newell, for his work and the builder, Mark Orr. He also paid tribute to Dave Fisher for carrying out the groundwork and John Cullen from Domino Kitchens for fitting out the interior. And, Archdeacon Rountree exclaimed, “there’s no oil burned here” as he thanked Jonathan Leonard for installing the ‘ice stick’ heating system which gathers heat for the house from the air outside. The rector also complimented the select vestry, in particular former glebes warden, Richard Bird, who oversaw the project.
Archbishop Jackson dedicated the house before the rector’s wife, Elizabeth Rountree, cut the ribbon and ceremoniously opened the front door. Prayers were also said inside the new rectory, which incorporates plenty of space for family and parish use.
Pictured outside the new rectory at Powerscourt are Richard Bird who oversaw the building project for the parish, John Cullen of Domino Kitchens, Mark Orr of Lambert Developments, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Rountree, Archdeacon Ricky Rountree, Jonathan Leonard who installed the state of the art heating system and architect, Stephen Newell.