24.04.2017
End of an Era as Final Parish Service Held in St George and St Thomas’s
The Church of St George and St Thomas on Cathal Brugha Street in Dublin’s city centre was full yesterday morning (Sunday April 23) for the final service to be held there in its current form. The service marked the closing of the Parish of St George and St Thomas and many who have been associated with it in the past joined parishioners to give thanks for the life and work of the parish. Parishioners from the receiving parish of Drumcondra and North Strand also attended.
The service was celebrated by Archbishop Michael Jackson who was joined by the Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven David Pierpoint and the Rector of Drumcondra and North Strand, the Revd Garth Bunting.
St George’s Brass Band, which began life in St George’s Church and continues to practice in St George and St Thomas’s, joined the organist in accompanying the hymns. Discovery Gospel Choir, which is also based in the church, sang two songs. Past members of the 14th Dublin Company Boys’ Brigade also attended including its last captain, Philip Denner.
In his sermon, the Archbishop said that the church in the heart of Dublin 1 will remain a significant marker in our history. It’s predecessor, St Thomas’s Church was built in 1762 and destroyed in 1922 during the War of Independence. St George’s Church on Hardwick Street, remains one of the most magnificent buildings in Dublin, the Archbishop said.
“Both separately and both combined have served their parochial populations extremely well and extremely faithfully. Parishes across the diocese bear testimony to this in the faithful involvement of people whose faith was nurtured here. I should like to thank all who have maintained this witness over centuries along with the tremendous contribution made by The St George’s Band, The Discovery Choir, the Christians of the Filipino tradition, the Indian Orthodox tradition and the Igbo tradition to the energy of St George and St Thomas,” he stated.
He continued: “Diversity is the lifeblood of this church and of this community. My prayer would be that this spirit should continue to be infectious, inspiring and innovative. This is the energy, the graciousness and the hospitality I want to see carried through into the next expression of Godly life here in St George and St Thomas. I want to say also that the diocese is taking direct responsibility for the administration of the church building; and the diocese has brought about the transfer as of today of the pastoral and liturgical life of the people of the parish to the Parish of Drumcondra and North Strand. I thank the rector, the Reverend Garth Bunting, and the parishioners in those parishes for the welcome they are already extending and for their being at this service today. There is every intention on the part of the diocese to find a new use within the Church of Ireland and within the dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough for the very beautiful church building that is St George’s and St Thomas’ Church”.
He thanked all who participated in the service and the clergy, church officers and parishioners who had kept the flame of faith and the light of love bright in the church.