Tercentenary Celebrations at Saint Anne’s Church, Shandon

The Tercentenary Celebrations of the Parish Church of Saint Anne, Shandon culminated in a Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, 2nd October 2022. The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton presided over the service, which was led by the Priest-in-Charge, the Rev. Meghan Farr. Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London and renowned preacher and New Testament Scholar, preached at the service.

Clergy and guests after the service outside Saint Anne’s Church, Shandon. From left to right: The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Deirdre Forde, the Rev. Anne Skuse, the Very Rev. Susan Green, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Dr Paula Gooder, Simon Coveney TD, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Colm Burke TD, the Rev. Meghan Farr, the Most Rev. Dr Fintan Gavin, the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, and Senator Jerry Buttimer.

The congregation included people from all over the Diocese and Ireland, with current and past associations with the parish. Special guests included Simon Coveney TD, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Deirdre Forde, Colm Burke TD, Senator Jerry Buttimer, and Cllr. Oliver Moran, as well as representatives from local history and community groups. The ecumenical guests included the Most Rev. Dr Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, the Rev. Andrew Robinson (Munster Methodist Circuit), the Rev. John O’Donovan PP (North Cathedral), the Rev. Mike O’Sullivan (Unitarian Church), as well as representatives from the Religious Society of Friends. The music for the service was provided by the choir of St Luke’s National School, directed and accompanied by Peter Stobart, Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, as well as three trumpeters.

St Luke’s National School Choir singing for the Tercentenary Celebrations.

Bishop Colton said:

I was delighted to welcome Dr Paula Gooder as our preacher for the 300th anniversary yesterday and for her focus on the very topical “who is my neighbour?” question in the story of the Good Samaritan. She showed us how it’s a story of acute contemporary significance. So it was that our joyful celebrations of the place of St Anne’s in our city and nation was not simply a retrospect of what has been for the last 300 years, but rather, celebrating all that was, we were challenged to reflect on our calling as Christians today in parishes like Saint Anne’s everywhere.

Dr Paula Gooder, Canon Chancellor of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, preaching the the service.

The Reverend Meghan Farr, said:

The celebration of the tercentenary of St. Anne’s Shandon was a joyous and spirit-filled occasion. The parish was delighted to welcome so many honoured guests led by Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Deirdre Forde, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, city councillors, T.D.s, Senator, civic representatives and representatives of community groups. We were also pleased to welcome guests from other churches, led by Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross and to have former rectors of St. Anne’s with us. It was a blessing and privilege to be a part of helping to mark 300 years of worship and witness in this historic church.