Uplifting rededication service following refurbishment of Tullamore Presbyterian Church
Works on roof and interior of church cost €660,000
TULLAMORE Presbyterian Church was packed for a service of thanksgiving and the rededication of the building following major refurbishment.
The service, on Sunday morning, followed an open day on Saturday celebrating to the history of the local Presbyterian congregation, in its current form, dating back to 1845.
The theme of Sunday's service was one of thanks and this was reflected in the psalms, hymns, scripture readings and the sermon by the minister, Rev. William Hayes.
Joining the congregation for the landmark service were members of the wider community including, Deputy Carol Nolan, Cllr Sean O'Brien, Cllr Shane Murray, Rev. Lesley Hutchinson, Rector, Rahan, Gospel singer James Kilbane, Ciaran Mullarkey, the architect who oversaw the the restoration works, Caty Lyons, Principal, Educate Together N.S., Edward McEvoy, Principal Tullamore College and Jim Quinn from the Darmagh Housing Association.
In total the extensive work costs €660,000, of which one quarter was received from Offaly County Council.
Rev. Hayes extended thanks to the council for their much needed support. "They acted very quickly, so quickly that they caught us by surprise with their speed," he quipped.
“There has been so much work done on the inside of the building from new flooring, new wainscoting, repair of the stain glass windows and so on."
Major work was also carried out on the roof of the landmark building, located on one of the main approach arteries into Tullamore, on High St.
The minister also thanked those groups which had hosted church services and activities during the year-long restoration work – Educate Together N.S., Tullamore College, the Dramagh Centre and St Mary's Youth and Community Centre.
Rev. Hayes also extended the congregation's thanks to the main contactors, McKeowns, EMSS for electrical work and all other contractors involved.
Architect Ciaran Mullarkey said "it was wonderful to come back here and see the church rejuvenated."
He revealed his firm works on a lot of churches around the country and he noted that the "energy to keep the buildings going comes from the community and the buildings are a manifestation of that."
With the works nearing completion there is still a debt of €60,000 outstanding, revealed Rev. Hayes.
Following the service, the congregation mingled over refreshments in the restored hall at the rear of the church.