Press Releases22 Jul 04

Church 'makeover' marks historic re-opening

CHURCH ?MAKEOVER? MARKS HISTORIC RE-OPENING

A remarkable ?makeover? spread over two years and backed by the generosity of many individuals heralded the historic re-opening of St James? Church, Rockcorry in the Diocese of Clogher in early July 2004.

?This has been a remarkable achievement?, said Canon Desmond Kingston. ?The total expenditure has been in excess of 220,000 euro. It has been achieved thanks to the leadership, effort and enthusiasm of Samuel Wilkin ably supported by a band of willing parishioners.?

St James? Church was created as a parish in 1855 out of Ematris Parish. By 1904, however, it was already grouped again with Ematris. Diocesan records in 1907 showed the population of the group as 580. Today there are some 80 parishioners in the group with 40 belonging to St James.

The ?makeover? was carried out in two phases. The first phase included re-roofing of the church, as well as complete re-pointing of the stone work, a new chimney and repairs to the boiler house, and the church gate and railings repaired.

Phase two saw the interior of the church being completely renovated including new flooring, a new heating system, re-wiring and new carpeting.

Among the many gifts donated were a new lighting system, an organ, a table and tiles in the porch, pew cushions, the paint and painting of the entire church, hymn books and copies of the new prayer book.

The church was re-opened for worship and the work and gifts dedicated by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson on Sunday, 4 July 2004. The full text of the Bishop?s address on that occasion can be found here.