Tyrrellspass turns out for church event

Great numbers turned out on Sunday morning last - despite the miserable weather - for the rededication of St. Stephen's Church in Tyrrellspass.Bishop Michael Smith said Mass on the day, but it was more like returning home for the man who used to come out to Tyrrellspass every Sunday for ten years,"From 1974 to 1984, I used to say Mass here every Sunday and I have to say it is great to be back and see all the old familiar faces," Bishop Smith told the Westmeath Examiner. "It's now 26 years later and I must say St. Stephen's is looking well!" he added.St. Stephen's was first built in 1858, just after the famine, and parishioners wished to make sure that the church would last to see out another 150 years.Fr. Brendan Ferris said it was a great day for the people because they were determined to have the Bishop back again to rededicate their church: "They are very proud of St. Stephen's and it's a great privilege to be with them because they are so proud of their church," said Fr. Ferris. "The work the people of Tyrrellspass have put in in the last three years has been phenomenal, I've never heard the word 'no'!" he said."When it came to refurbishing different things, they knew exactly what they wanted to make sure the church lasts for the next 150 years," he continued. "It has been hard work but a pleasure," he added.The construction work on St. Stephen's took just over one year and cost €843,000:"It was a big bill but hopefully it will ensure that this building will be a house of prayer for many generations to come," said Fr. Ferris."It was built in a time of famine, when the people had nothing, and the people still had pride in their church, so hopefully that pride will continue in the village of Tyrrellspass today and the parish of Castletown-Geoghegan."