15.09.2025
Uplifting Songs of Praise Give Thanks for Athy Church Redecoration
The roof of the newly redecorated St Michael’s Church in Athy almost lifted off with the joyful singing at a special Songs of Praise Service to celebrate its official reopening yesterday (Sunday September 14).
The Stedfast Band and organist Carol Coyle provided enthusiastic musical accompaniment to the many carefully chosen and uplifting hymns. Each hymn was introduced by the Rector, the Revd Conor O’Reilly, who gave fascinating information, placing them in historical context and reminding everyone that these hymns emanated from a profound spiritual experience which so moved their author that they to put them to words in the praise of God.
Parishioners of Athy, Kilberry and Fontstown with Kilkea were joined for the occasion by Archbishop Michael Jackson who praised all in the parish who had worked together to take on the beautiful restoration of the church’s interior. He spoke of the importance of community both in the parish and the wider community of Athy.
Fr Liam Rigney, PP of Athy, was also in attendance. He said he was delighted to be invited and marvelled at the transformation of the interior of the church. He commended all who had worked so hard to secure the historic building for generations to come and said he felt the prayers of generations past in the walls of St Michael’s.
Drawing the service to a close, the Rector thanked everyone who had made the service special, particularly the Stedfast Band and Ms Coyle. He also thanked all who had put so much time and effort into the refurbishment of the church, reserving particular mention for Ron Condell, the church wardens, the building and finance committees and the Select Vestry. The congregation adjourned.
The Songs of Praise Service was held as a celebration to mark the repainting of St Michael’s Church which closed for the work after Easter Sunday Service and reopened three months later. During the period that the church was closed, services were held in the Main Hall of the adjacent Parish Centre.
Speaking after the service Revd Conor said: “During my Institution as Rector of the Athy Union of Parishes in December 2022, I stated that ‘churches must be places where a living faith is celebrated’. They should never be seen as relics of a bygone age, no matter how renowned they may be for their aesthetic beauty or historical significance. This renovation makes it a setting suitable for the worship of God in the 21st Century, whilst at the same time preserving intact its historical significance in the life of the town of Athy”.