05.10.2023
Joyous Celebrations as St George and St Thomas Church Re–opens for Anglican Worship
On Sunday September 24, St George and St Thomas Church became the first church in a quarter of a century to re–open for public worship in the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
The historic re–opening service was the culmination of a lot of work by parishioners, supported by a number of local organisations.
The renowned church, which is located just off O’Connell Street, at the gateway to Dublin’s North East Inner City redevelopment area, was taken into administration by the Dioceses in April 2017 but the parish was later reconstituted and returned to parishioners at a special Easter Vestry in January 2023.
The last church to re–open in Dublin, was St Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street, which closed for Anglican worship in 1966 but was re–opened in 1998 by CORE (City Outreach for Renewal and Evangelism). Unlike St Catherine’s Church however, St George and St Thomas was never formally closed or deconsecrated.
The Parish of St George and St Thomas has long been recognised as the Church of Ireland’s intercultural parish, being located in the heart of a very diverse community and possessing a large number of ethnically diverse members in its congregation.
The Parish is also the oldest institution in continuous existence in Dublin’s North East Inner City, with foundations dating back to 1758, when the parish of St Mary’s was divided to cope with the city’s growing population.
Commenting on the re–opening of the church, the People’s Churchwarden, Mrs Funmi Akingbade said, “We thank God for the wonderful re–opening of St George and St Thomas. It is only through prayer and the mercy of God that we the parishioners have been able to enjoy this amazing moment. We now continue to seek the grace of God to enable our church to grow and flourish into the future”.
The Parish Secretary, Mr Okwuchukwu Augustine Ndulue added, “This is a remarkable day, not just in the life of the present parishioners, but for generations to come. I have a feeling that we will always look back at this reopening and be motivated to keep going, and to keep the fire burning”.
The re–opening service of Holy Communion was led by the Rural Dean, Rev Garth Bunting and Diocesan Lay Reader, Mr Paul Lavin. Music was provided by the Discovery Gospel Choir.
St George and St Thomas will meet for worship on the first and third Sunday of every month at 3.00pm.
(Thank you to Okwuchuckwu Augustine Ndulue for providing the report)