06.10.2014
St Saviour’s Celebrates New Parish Hall and Hails Long Serving Organist
Stormy weather didn’t dampen an evening of celebrations at St Saviour’s in Arklow last night (Sunday October 5). Parishioners and the wider community filled the church for the Harvest Service following which the new St Saviour’s Parish Hall was officially opened and dedicated.
The evening also marked a significant milestone for St Saviour’s organist. John Keogh has been playing the organ in the church for 50 years and his commitment and diligence was honoured by the parishioners.
The preacher at the service was Archbishop Michael Jackson. Hailing John for his long service, he said: “All service is honoured by God; an especially long service brings to the fore other gifts and virtues: patience, constancy, faithfulness and self–sacrifice over an extended period of time”.
The Archbishop added that the new parish hall had long been the dream and hope of the Rector, Select Vestry and parishioners. “I rejoice to have the honour of dedicating with all of you the building and the life of friendship and of fellowship, of community and of collegiality which will take place in and from this new and wonderful place,” he said.
Making a presentation to John after the service, churchwarden, Colin Fitzpatrick, outlined the organist’s long association with St Saviour’s and his many achievements during that time.
In response John said he had served under four Rectors and was fortunate to have had cordial relations with them all. The said he had been entranced by the architecture of the church and the organ from the first day he had seen them. He also thanked the parishioners for their hospitality over the years.
The ribbon on the new hall was cut by John and the building, and a podium which was donated in memory of parishioner Roy Keegan, were dedicated by Archbishop Jackson.
The Rector, Canon Nigel Sherwood, recalled the long history of the St Saviour’s Parish Hall project and praised the series of prudent Honorary Treasurers and Rectors who played their parts in bringing the project to fruition. He also paid tribute to the Select Vestry for their dedication, the neighbouring parishes and congegations who contributed to the fundraising efforts and all who worked on the building. “The hall project has been funded by prudent planning and forsight and motivated by a great bunch of parishioners,” he stated.
Introducing the current Honorary Treasurer, Jimmy Woolmington, who oversaw the project for the parish, Canon Sherwood described him as their Captain Fantastic.
Jimmy declared the evening to be “one of the greatest occasions in the life of St Saviour’s”. He said the parishioners needs had been satisfied in the replacement of the old Sunday School Room with a new building which would compliment the church’s witness.
Other speakers on the night included conservation architect, Margaret Quinlan, Canon Martin Cosgrove PP of Arklow, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald chairman of the local Municipal District.
The formalities ended with an enormous cake being cut by Annie Keegan and John Keogh.
Photo captions:
Top – John Keogh cutting the ribbon while Archbishop Michael Jackson and Canon Nigel Sherwood look on.
Bottom – Jimmy Woolmington is presented with a gift in honour of his work on the parish hall development.