Service to mark 170 years of Presbyterian congregation in Tullamore
Presbyterians had been meeting for worship in the town from the mid 1840s
THIS Sunday, September 27, Tullamore Presbyterian Church will be holding a special Service of Thanksgiving to mark 170 years of the congregation serving and worshipping here in Tullamore.
Presbyterians had been meeting for worship in the town from the mid 1840s and in 1856 at a meeting of the Athlone Presbytery the local church in Tullamore was formally recognised as part of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
This allowed them to officially call a minister of their own to come and serve the parish.
That first minister was the Rev Samuel Kelly who came from Bailieborough and was called to minister in Tullamore on 28th September 1856.
Unfortunately Rev Kelly only stayed in Tullamore for around a year before heading off to Australia but he work continued and within a decade the congregation moved out of temporary premises and into the building they use now at the top of High Street in 1865.
“We’ve had a varied and interesting history as a church and we have shared in Tullamore’s joys and sorrows over the decades,” says William Hayes, the current minister.
“Looking back over the decades the church has had times of growth and times of decline but God has been faithful over those years and it has been a real privilege to be part of that history myself over the last twenty years and see the congregation grow and change over that time.”
“We chose the 27th September for our Thanksgiving Service for two main reasons, firstly it marks almost 170 years to the day from the call of the first clergyman to the congregation and secondly it coincides with our Harvest Thanksgiving service in which we give thanks to God for our food and all who grown and produce it.
"This year we are giving thanks not only for the harvest of food and drink but also the decades long harvest of the work of so many in Tullamore Presbyterian Church worshipping God here in Offaly through their words and acts of service.”
The congregation are delighted to welcome back to preach at the service the Rev Stephen Simpson who ministered here from 1997 to 2003.
He and his wife Belinda and daughter Anna have warm memories of their time here in Tullamore and are looking forward to returning for the anniversary celebration.
Rev Hayes concluded, “A Harvest Thanksgiving Service is always one of the highlights of the church year.
It is a very family friendly service with lots of good singing, child friendly elements and, of course, a lot of food after the service to give thank for all that God provides. Everyone is welcome.”