The late Sean Lemass, all unaware of it perhaps, contributed indirectly as Taoiseach to the need to build a Presbyterian church in Malahide in 1956. Had he been aware, we have no doubt, he would have been pleased.
It was Sean Lemass after all who, if he was not the prime mover, contributed much to the spectacular growth of Dublin Airport and Aer Lingus to international status. Many of the pilots and others needed as a result of that expansion, in the late 1940 and early 1950s, came from Scotland, England and Wales.
They were often of the reformed religious tradition, especially the Scotsmen. They were soon to associate with a nucleus of staunch Presbyterians already in Malahide in such numbers as to prompt the building of a Presbyterian church.
Presbyterians had been worshipping in Howth and Malahide from as early as the 1890s, and even very much earlier. A number in Malahide worshipped in two rooms in a house at 2 Killeen Terrace, Malahide, adequate enough, it was believed, until the influx of Aer Rianta, Aer Lingus and business personnel.
From the early 1950s it was plain that a church was needed. Land was given by the Kirker family. The late Rev James McCaughey, the Session, the Committee and the members of the Howth and Malahide congregation embarked on the project with the greatest enthusiasm. The late William Baird was the architect of a church to seat 150 people and an ancillary hall.
Mr Baird was also the architect of the Lifeboat House in Howth and its obvious likeness to the Presbyterian Church in Malahide again and again attracts pleasing comments by locals and visitors.
A foundation stone for the church was laid on April 7th, 1956, by the late Very Rev Dr James Breakey, a former minister of the Abbey Presbyterian Church, Parnell Square, and Moderator of the General Assembly.
The church was dedicated on November 25th, 1956, by Dr Breakey's successor in office, the late Very Rev Dr Tom Barker, distinguished for lifelong service to the church overseas. Tomorrow, November 22nd at 10.30 a.m. the members of the Howth and Malahide congregation will unite in Malahide Church for an anniversary service to be conducted by the Minister, the Rev Dr William O'Neill, who will preach the sermon. All former members and friends are invited to join us.
The Moderator, the Right Rev Dr John Dixon, asks Presbyterians to contribute as soon as possible to emergency relief for the people of Honduras. In notes accompanying his request, the Moderator writes:
"Many people are deeply upset by the disaster that has befallen Central America. The statistics are mind-boggling - a death toll of around 20,000, millions made homeless, 60 per cent of the roads ruined and 70 per cent of the crops destroyed. People want to do something, and I've been assured that the best way we can help is to give financial aid.
"Consequently I'm encouraging congregations to have special collections and then to forward the contributions to the aid agencies already at work on the ground in Central America."
Dr Dixon went immediately to Omagh on hearing of the recent terrorist outrage and was able to comfort many of the injured and bereaved. He participated in three of the funeral services later. He returned to Omagh recently and met the local clergy to hear how he could give further aid.
He also visited Harold McCauley House, Camowen Terrace, Killyclogher Road. This is a nursing home run by Presbyterian Residential Trust with 30 people in residence. Family and friends of the staff were among those killed and injured in the Omagh bombing.
On Friday, November 27th, at 8 p.m. Ms Mary Banotti MEP will be the distinguished guest speaker in the Howth Presbyterian Church. Light supper will be given after in the church hall. All are welcome.