Rev Katherine is given fantastic welcome at Gorey Methodist Church

The congregation at Gorey Methodist Church welcomed their new minister to town with an installation service at the church in the Market Square on Sunday evening.

Rev Katherine Kehoe, who is a native of Baltinglass, county Wicklow, was given a huge welcome to Gorey by the parishioners, some of whom travelled from Lucan, Tallaght and Arklow.

She finished her training for ordained ministry in Edgehill Theological College in Belfast in 2015 and served as a probationary minister in Lucan and Tallaght for three years before ordained in June of this year at St Columb’s Church of Ireland in Derry. Rev Kehoe was ordained alongside previous Gorey Methodist Church minister, Rev Cheryl Patterson, who has moved to the a new parish – Glenbyrne, Belfast.

‘I am the minister in Arklow and Gorey now,’ said Rev Kehoe.

Before entering theological college, Rev Kehoe lived in Baltinglass with her husband John, who works for Wicklow County Council. They married in 1978 and have two daughters – Patrice and Caroline.

Patrice married John Fullerton and had two kids called Adam and Emily. They now live in London. Caroline married Derek Kavanagh and have one son called Dylan, they live in Athy, county Kildare.

‘I attended St Joseph’s National School in Baltinglass,’ said Rev Kehoe. ‘After, I went to FCJ Bunclody for a while but became very homesick and moved to St Leo’s convent in Carlow.’

Rev Kehoe explained she and her husband always had a connection with Wexford and listen to South East Radio quite often while in Baltinglass.

‘I live in Clonattin now,’ said Rev Kehoe. ‘My husband lives in Wicklow still because of working with the council, but we see each other a lot.’

Sunday’s service was very well attended by locals, as well as many from Arklow, Lucan and Tallaght. Refreshments were served afterwards to get a chance to meet the new minister.

‘The welcome and installation service was brilliant,’ said Rev Kehoe. ‘The church was packed. I hope to stay in Gorey for as long as possible.’

Rev Katherine Kehoe, who was welcomed as Minister of Gorey and Arklow Methodist Churches, pictured with her husband John Kehoe and Rev Andrew Dougherty of the Dublin district.

The large crowd gathered at Gorey Methodist Church to welcome Rev Katherine Kehoe.