Arklow, Inch, Kilbride Parish

The Arklow Group of Parishes

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Published October 15, 2018 / by admin
 

St Saviours Church

St Saviour’s Church History

St Saviour’s is one of the finest modern churches built in Ireland by William, 5th Earl of Carysfort. William dedicated this church in memorial to his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

The Church is in the Early English Style and was completed in 1899. The building embodies many of the features to be found in the beautiful Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire Churches. The architect involved in the building of the church was Sir Arthur Bloomfield, ARA.

The church consists of a nave, two side aisles and a chancel. It is 136 feet long and cost approximately £29,500 to build.

There is a fine peal of eight bells and the first peal was rung by the Bell-ringers of Loughborough Parish Church, England.

Some interesting features within the Church –

  • The ceiling is supported by columns of green Irish marble.
  • The Holy Table is made of American walnut. Above the holy table is a Mosaic of Angels holding a scroll and above this again is a carved reredos representing the Last Supper
  • The east window representing the Church Triumphant and the numerous other window commemorating many people connected with the Parish and many members of Lord Carysfort’s family.
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Kilbride Church

Published October 15, 2018 / by admin

Kilbride Church History

Kilbride Church “St Brigid’s” is a beautiful small but boastful church situated on the Beech Road, Arklow, County Wicklow and is home to Harry Clarke’s Resurrection Window.

Kilbride Church was built by the Howard family who hailed from Shelton Abbey in Arklow. This beautiful church is now 185 years old. The church was maintained by the Howard family and estate labourers for several years. The church was a place of worship for the Church of Ireland representatives however they were great advocates for reform and liberalism which in time led to full Roman Catholic emancipation.

Following a census circa 1834, church attendance averaged at 300 too 400 each Sunday. This church was not used as a memorial ground until 1877 and that stage burials were to the front roadside however in 1914 burials commenced to the rear of the building following more land acquired.

The famous Harry Clarke stained glass window was installed in 1924 by Lucy Costigan. This beautiful piece dominates the the interior of the church. It boasts three sets of tracery lights which depicts Christ with Mary and St John. If you look closely you can see Harry Clarke’s signature near the bottom of the right hand side but a magnifying glass may be required.

In 1992, the church underwent big renovations replacing the roof and ceiling. It is a beautiful historical building.

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Inch Church

Published October 15, 2018 / by admin

Inch Church History

Inch Church was constructed in 1831 and built in an early English architectural style.  The church seats 300 people.  The building is immensely strong, with buttresses inside and out.

The church is enhanced with a tower and pinnacles.  This simple style, harking back to the simple early mediaeval building was widely adopted by the Church of Ireland in the early 19th century.

At the time, the church cost £800 to build and the money was provided from the Board of First Fruits, an ancient fund raising structure that was adopted by the Church of Ireland to provide money for church and rector buildings.

The interior of the church is in a simplistic and non-embellished type.  There are two memorial windows.  The main alter window is English in origin and was inserted as a memorial to Lieutenant George Brooke who was killed in the First World War.

The other memorial window is to the memory of Eva Augusta Elizabeth, Madam O’Morchoe.  A great War Roll of Honour hangs at the back of the church which contain 17 names.

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Mary Dillon & Pat O’Malley

Published September 28, 2018 / by admin

Pat O’Malley

Parish Reader

I started studying “Ministry and Mission in the Local Church” in 2006 under the tutorship of Archdeacon Ricky Rountree and Archdeacon David Pierpoint. We emailed all our assignments to St John’s Nottingham and they were assessed by their tutors. We also had lecture week-ends over the course of the 2 years in the Theological Institute, and were Commissioned on Easter Thursday 2008 in Christchurch Cathedral by Archbishop John Neill.

During those two years I had great guidance and support from the rector of the Arklow Group of Parishes, Canon Nigel Sherwood. He encouraged me to join him in taking services, and, after being commissioned, I took services on my own. I felt that my calling was in our local Group of Parishes, where I was needed most, so I did not continue with further studies.

Mary Dillon

Parish Reader

I became a parish reader in 2016 and am based in Kilbride but take services in the other churches when needed.

I became a parish reader as I wanted to be involved in the church in an active way and felt I wanted to lead. Being a parish reader has enabled me to get to know many, many people in the parish and to serve them in a way which I find personally fulfilling and which also helps the parish. As well as taking services in church I have deputised for the rector on occasion, taking part in the August bank holiday blessing of the fleet service and the annual Memorial service for those lost at sea. I have a close association through my family with the Lifeboat service and really enjoy bringing my ministry to work in this way.

I live in Arklow town, enjoy singing and music. I love to cook and bake but don’t find I have as much time as I would like to do either.

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