Archbishop Eamon Martin in the newly-restored St Joseph's Church The Parish of Tynan and Middletown gathered on Sunday, April 8 to celebrate the rededication of St Joseph’s Church, Tynan after six months of renovations.
St Joseph’s, affectionately known as Tynan Chapel, was built on the hill of Mullaghard (from the Irish mullach ard meaning high summit) in 1813 and is one of the oldest pre-Catholic Emancipation churches in the Armagh Archdiocese. The congregation started planning and fundraising for the renovations in late 2012 and marked the bicentenary milestone of the church on Sunday, October 20, 2013.
Archbishop Eamon Martin concelebrated the rededication Mass, along with Msgr Joseph McGuinness (diocesan administrator, Clogher Diocese), and Msgr Colum Curry, (PP Beragh and native of the parish). Cardinal Seán Brady was in attendance, along with Fr Fergus Breslan, Fr Patrick Coyle, Canon Philip Connolly, Fr Lorcan Lynch and Servite Fr Ray O’Connell. Fr Sean Moore acted as Master of Ceremonies and Tony Hughes was the deacon.
Ceremony
The ceremony began outside with Fr Moore handing over the key to Archbishop Eamon who then led everyone into the newly restored church.
Among the distinguished guests were representatives of the St Louis Order and other local Churches including Rev. Matthew Hagan and Rev. Bill Atkins, of the Church of Ireland. Raymond Donnelly, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Co Armagh represented Lord Caledon.
The Mass began with blessing and sprinkling of holy water, and the scripture readings were read by Michael McKernan, Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council and Gerry Gribbon, clerk of works. The psalm was sung by soloist Anna Kennedy and Deacon Hughes proclaimed the Gospel. The ceremony continued with the archbishop anointing the walls and altar with chrism which had been blessed on Holy Thursday.
The altar society then laid the altar cloths, placed the candles and brought forward flowers. The choir was led by organist Siobhan Hughes, conductor Sr Canice and contained members from St Joseph’s, Tynan and St John’s Church Choir, Middletown.
Refurbishment
Fr Moore thanked everyone involved in the liturgy, the building committee and all those who donated and fundraised to allow the work to happen. He thanked the contractor Jim Irwin, clerk of works Gerry Gribbon, architect Joe Kerr, quantity surveyor Ian Donnelly, as well as Charlie Canavan, Connor Smalls and all involved in the renovations. The renovation works included dry lining the entire building, new gallery, new ceiling with associated lighting, electrics and new flooring.
It also included bringing back the beautiful rose window which had been blocked from view by the altar backdrop and refurbishment of the historic stained glass windows. Afterwards everyone was invited to the Markethouse, Middletown for refreshments.