On Sunday 13 August 2023 a beautiful Service of the Word was held at St Matthew’s Church, Aughadown, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the church.
The Service was 150 years to the day from consecration of the church on 13 August 1873.
The Service was conducted by Reverend Stephen McCann, Rector of Ballydehob Union of Parishes, and presided over by Bishop Paul Colton, Bishop of the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
One of those who contributed to the Service before a packed congregation was Deirdre Pemberton whose great grandfather John, together with his brother Thomas, were the builders of the church.
In the 2023 Skibbereen Historical Journal, Deirdre has written a beautiful account of her family’s connection with St Matthew’s and also a very interesting history of the church.
The Skibbereen Historical Journal is available in bookshops throughout west Cork and can also be purchased online at https://biblio.ie/bookstore/coolim-books-skibbereen/shj/39607814