Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Where to Sit in Church
The right, real or imagined, to sit in a particular seat in a particular church has often been the subject of controversy. This is examined in an historical context in the latest Archive of the Month contribution from the RCB Library, as Library Administrator, Robert Gallagher, looks at the unusual phenomenon of how, in certain parishes, the practice of purchasing, renting or being assigned a pew was administered.
The new presentation examines the content of the pew register of St Werburgh’s church, Dublin, for the period 1719 up to 1839, although after 1764 entries are very cursory indeed, reflecting how the process of owning or renting a pew began to die out in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. As one of the earliest Anglo–Norman churches established within the city walls and as the parish serving Dublin Castle, St Werburgh’s enjoyed a prominent position in the city. Its pew register gives an unusual insight into the parish’s social structure, providing glimpses of the wealth and status enjoyed by the parishioners such as the Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and some of the leading businessmen in the city such as David La Touche. The volume reveals the resolutions that the vestry agreed about pew–related transactions, the income realised from the same, and the parish’s wider social structure – indicated by such details as who was sitting where – with the most sought–after pews being located either in the gallery or near the front of the church.
The online exhibition may be viewed at www.ireland.anglican.org/library/archive
Today at 1pm the Mornington Singers will give a Christmas concert in St Ann’s church, Dublin, and they will sing again in Christ Church cathedral on Saturday 17 December at 8pm. In St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, (today) at 5.30 there will be an opportunity to ‘Come & Sing Carols’.
In Cashel, Ferns & Ossory today (Saturday) the new intake of the Certificate in Christian Studies will be matriculated in Kilkenny. This is the fourth cycle and this year includes participants from the diocese of Cork as well as those from CFO. The first module is Liturgy and Worship and today’s Study Day centres around a field trip to a range of local churches and cathedrals. The programme is one of two recognised courses for Lay Reader training and is also open to general interest participants. The certificate is within the ecumenical partnership with St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and is under the leadership of the Very Revd Tom Gordon, Diocesan Director of Adult Education.
Tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 11.45 RTE Extra will broadcast a live celebration of the Eucharist from St Michael & All Angels church, CastlecaulfieldTop of FormBottom of Form, where the rector is Dr Peter Thompson.
The Christmas carols season continues tomorrow (Sunday) at 11.15 with a Christmas Carol Service for the international community in St George & St Thomas’ church, Cathal Brugha Street. The Archbishop of Dublin will preside and preach and there will be music from the St George’s Brass Band. In St Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin, there will be ‘Carols for All’ at 3.15pm with the Cathedral Choir and the Choir of St Patrick’s Grammar School, and St Patrick’s cathedral, Trim, will host a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 7.30pm with the Meath Diocesan Choir. On Tuesday in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, at 1.15pm there will be a Carol Service in aid of Peata Therapy Dogs.
Next Friday the Dublin Black Santa charity appeal will be launched at St Ann’s church, Dawson Street, at 2pm.
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times