Having produced not one, but two Moderators in its time, the first in 1868, Dungannon Presbyterian Church welcomed the current Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) yesterday, to honour the memory and ministry of one of his predecessors – Very Reverend Dr Andrew Rodgers.

PCI’s current Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Sam Mawhinney, was in the County Tyrone town to officially rename one of the church halls as ‘The Rodgers Room’. Dr Rodgers was minister of the church from 1965 to 1996 and served as Moderator of the General Assembly for the year 1993-1994.

As Rev Alan Thompson, minister of Dungannon Presbyterian Church, explained, the congregation had wanted to honour the memory of Dr Rodgers, who passed away in 2022, for a number of years. “Out of necessity, we needed to do some pretty essential renovations, which centred around the re-wiring of the whole church.

“For many years we had also wanted to renovate the main entrance to the church, to literally ‘brighten it up’ and make the space more welcoming. So, with that in mind, we took the opportunity to do that, and upgrade our minor hall at the same time, where we have a number of our meetings and evening services. With all the work going on, we also thought that it would be the ideal time to rename the hall.”

Dungannon Presbyterian was established in 1716, with the first Meeting House being built on the site around 1723. It was rebuilt in 1869, with transepts and a tower, which were followed in 1905 by further extensive renovations, that included the installation of the first organ. Other renovations and building have taken place since then.

“The entrance is now a much brighter area as we have removed some old fireplaces, put in new windows and lighting, lowered the ceiling, knocked down a wall and laid a new floor with a representation of the Burning Bush, the Presbyterian emblem, made out of tiles in the centre. We were also able to incorporate a space for coffee and refreshments, so it is altogether more welcoming. In The Rodgers Room, we also to put in new windows and upgraded the facility in general,” Mr Thompson said.

The minister, who has served in the church since 2007, said that they were delighted when the Moderator had accepted the invitation to come. “Sunday was a very special day as it was a united service of thanksgiving for members of Dungannon Presbyterian and Moygashel Hall, which is part of the congregation, as we gave thanks to God for the completion of the renovations.

“We were very thankful to Dr Mawhinney, and his wife Karen for coming, and for the way in which he preached at our service and dedicated for us our renovated entrance and The Rodgers Room itself,” Mr Thompson said.

As the minister of Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church in Dublin, Dr Mawhinney said that he appreciated what the congregation had been through, as his city centre Victorian church building had undergone an extensive refurbishment phase at the start of the new millennium (1998-2000). “While ‘church’ is about people, and the preaching of the gospel, especially to those who have never truly heard the transformative Good News of Jesus of Christ, there is certainly value in improving our buildings, making them fit for purpose and more welcoming.

“The work that has been undertaken in Dungannon is a testament to the congregation’s vision and I commend them for it, along with Alan’s missional heart and the faithful leadership that he has shown for nearly two decades,” Dr Mawhinney said.

Speaking of his predecessor, he said that as a student for the ministry he remembered attending the 1993 General Assembly when Dr Rodgers was installed as Moderator. “Looking back, the last thing on my mind then was that one day I might follow in his footsteps as Moderator. Today, however, has been a special occasion as we gathered to acknowledge Dr Rodger’s ministry with the renaming of the hall, and dedicate the work that has been done to the church’s entrance. It was also important to do so with Dr Rodgers’ family present, who kindly gifted to me their father’s moderatorial robes, to wear at the General Assembly, on state and other occasions.

Dr Mawhinney concluded by saying, “It was also really important to see Dr Rodgers’ wife Helen included on the plaque that I unveiled, recognising the partnership with her husband as a ‘co-worker in Christian ministry’. Something that I, and many-a-minister, truly value.”

Photos (1) left to right: the Moderator, Dr Mawhinney officially opening the Rodgers Room, with the children of the Dr Andrew Rodgers, the former minister of Dungannon Presbyterian Church, David Rodgers, Alison Watson and John Rodgers, with Dungannon's current minister, Rev Alan Thompson, (2) in the new foyer, with Rev Alan Thompson and his wife Patricia Thompson, the Moderator and his wife Karen with the Clerk of Session, David Miller (3) the plaque that recognised the partnership of Dr Rodgers and his wife Helen and (4) the cutting of a commemorative cake.