Kerry Evening Post Saturday, October 21, 1843, p2.
CONSECRATION
Diocese of Killaloe and Confert, &c,
On Thursday, the 12th inst., the Hon and Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of this diocese, consecrated the new church in Kinvarra, a small but rising town, situated on the eastern extremity of the bay of Galway. The weather was unfavourable, it having rained heavily during the morning, but notwithstanding there was a large and respectable congregation. Amongst those present were the Very Rev. William O’Grady, the clergy and respectable laity of the neighbourhood.
On his arrival at the western door of the church, the clergy in their surplices, &c., met the Lord Bishop, and preceded by him, advanced up the aisle, repeating the 24th Psalm, when his lordship took his seat on the north side of the communion table.
The deed for setting apart the church for holy purposes being read by the deputy register, the Very Rev. the Provost of Kilmacduagh, and the Rev. W.H. Nason, proceeded to read the morning service; the first lesson being read by the Rev. William Roe, Chaplain to the Earl of Clancarty, and the second by the Rev. Mr. Robinson, Curate of the Venerable the Archdeacon of Confert. The 100th Psalm was then sung with effect and devotion, by the Clergy and congregation, led by the Rev. W. Roe. The Bishop next read the Communion service, the Epistle being read by the Dean of Kilmacduagh, after which the 121st Psalm was sung.
His Lordship preached the consecration sermon, taking for his text the 16th chap. of St. Matthew’s Gospel and the 18th verse, “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” In the course of which, in a strain of most exalted eloquence, he faithfully advocated the cause of our Reformed Church, contending that Protestantism had not its beginning, but its purification, at the time of the glorious Reformation – that that justification was by faith only in the atonement and imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ – that the Church of Rome, though the depositary, was not the faithful dispenser of the truth – that there never was a time when the motley bands of our Zion’s opponents were more leagued for her destruction, infidelity without and a spurious liberality scarcely less dangerous within, but that she was founded upon Jesus the Rock; and that faithful Christians, the true children of God, were called, elected and chosen from ages everlasting.
His Lordship concluded with adverting in a most impressive and feeling manner to the memory of the Rev. John Burke, the late vicar of the parish, through whose exertions the church of Kinvarra had been built, eulogising his merits and character, and expressing his conviction (it being the intention of his friends to erect a monument to his memory) that it would be more in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, and equally fulfil this intended object of his friends, should a school-house be substituted for the monument.
The effect of this discourse was here apparent from the tears of the congregation; and it is earnestly to be hoped that his lordship’s recommendation will speedily and vigorously be put into execution.
It would be quite impossible to give an adequate idea of the Bishop’s sermon. We would respectfully suggest to his lordship that, by having it printed and published through the lenght and breadth of the land, he would confer a lasting boon upon the Church at large.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s supper was then administered to about forth communicants, when all separated enlightened by, and gratified with, the services of the day.
Cork Constitution.
The Burren and Beyond 