About three times a year, a small group gathers in St. John the Baptist Church of Ireland, Midleton, to
celebrate a service in Lutheran tradition. Daniela O’Hara, member of the Lutheran Church and parishioner at Christ Church, Rushbrooke, writes about the small community who meets in Midleton:

In Germany about 23% of the population identify as Protestant, and most of the small
congregation gathering for the services at St John the Baptist, Midleton are either from Germany or of German descent.

The last service was led in German by Pastor Florian von Issendorff. Most of the time, he and his wife Anja, also a Pastor, work in St. Finian’s Church in Dublin, home to the only Lutheran Church in Ireland. But they regularly travel around Ireland, holding German services in Belfast, Limerick, Wexford, Kerry and Cork.

Pastor von Issendorff’s last visit to Midleton was on 22nd December 2024, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. That time, the congregation totalled eleven people, ranging in age from 4 months old to 88 years, and greatly enjoyed singing familiar German Christmas carols. The next service in Midleton is likely to be sometime around Easter, and new people from any denomination are always welcome. Services are usually followed by tea, coffee and homemade cakes – and a chance to socialise.

We want to extend a special thanks to the Very Reverend Dean Susan Green for allowing the group the use of St. John the Baptist Church in Midleton.