300 years of worship in Loughinisland Parish Church
A long awaited celebration took place in Loughinisland Parish Church, Seaforde on St Macartan’s Day, Thursday 24 March when the parish and community came together to celebrate over 300 years of worship in the building.
The tercentenary celebration year was to be 2020, and a number of events were organised but the COVID pandemic meant that all but one had to be cancelled. It was with genuine joy and relief that people joined together for this much anticipated service at which two magnificent mosaics created by artist and parishioner Maeve King were dedicated.
The mosaics were dedicated by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Revd David McClay and the preacher was the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell.
Archbishop John looked into the history of the parish in his sermon and encouraged the congregation to continue trusting in God for the future. Both he and Bishop David conveyed their gratitude to the Select Vestry and generations of worshippers for their stewardship of the church over the centuries.
The service was introduced by the Dean of Down and Rector of the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP), the Very Revd Henry Hull. Parish Reader Lucy Cullen led the service alongside Bishop David. Father Ciarán Dallat, Parish Priest of St Macartan’s Loughinisland, read the gospel and representatives of other local churches were also present.
The two mosaics feature an image of the Lamb of God atop the world and the dove of the Holy Spirit descending from heaven, both of whose halos contain 24 carat gold leaf covered by a thin hand blown layer of crystal. Artist Maeve King spoke of the atmosphere of serenity this project afforded as she worked on the pieces during the pandemic.
The service also featured the premier of a short setting of the Angus Dei composed by Maeve King’s cousin Jason McKinstry and inspired by her mosaics. Mathew Forde of Seaforde wrote a potted history of the parish for inclusion in the order of service and read a lesson.
Speaking after the service, the Revd Adrian Dorrian, Vicar of LAMP with responsibility for Seaforde, said:
“It is a true blessing, after over two years of delayed plans, to have been able to come together to celebrate three centuries of worship in the church here in Seaforde, although Loughinisland Parish has an even longer history. We were able to look back with thanksgiving – some of the communion plate used during the service dates from its opening 300 years ago – and look forward with hope and confidence by dedicating these stunning mosaics to the glory of God and pray that they will bless people in future generations.
“Across over 300 years of God’s people worshipping in this place, and especially during the past two years of pandemic, he has been faithful. We have so much for which to be thankful here, and I hope our celebration will set the tone for our worship and thanksgiving in the days and years to come.”
Pictured L–R
Standing: Dean Henry Hull, Archbishop McDowell, Bishop David and Father Ciarán Dallat
Seated: Lucy Cullen and Maeve King
