Athy church reopens with Songs of Praise service
All who came to celebrate the reopening of St Michael's Church, Athy
ST Michael’s Church in Athy marked its official reopening on Sunday 14 September with a special Songs of Praise service following three months of renovation work.
The church, which closed for renovations after the Easter Sunday Service In April, celebrated its reopening with music, refreshments and a fantastic mass.
While the church was closed, the community convened for mass at the Main Hall of the adjacent Parish Centre.
The Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough, was guest of honour at the service, with Fr Liam Rigney, Parish Priest of Athy, also in attendance.
Music for the occasion was provided by the Stedfast Band, one of Ireland’s premier brass bands, and organist Carol Coyle, whose performances helped to lift the atmosphere of the service.
Revd Conor offered short introductions to each hymn, providing historical background and reflecting on the deep spiritual experiences that inspired their composition.
“We now move forward in the long history of St Michael's Church, Athy, continuing to praise and worship the Lord in a revitalised setting fit for the purpose of 21st century worship,” said Revd Conor O’Reilly.
“To God be the glory!” he concluded.
Following the service, parishioners gathered in the Parish Centre for refreshments, coordinated by Adele Rowan and supported by volunteers who prepared and served sandwiches and traybakes.
