A Century of Memories
Article from the Down Democrat Newspaper;
Every key moment in Adelaide Torney's life has been played out against the backdrop of St Patrick's Memorial Church in Saul. As the oldest surviving member of the parish, she was baptised, married and introduced her children to the faith within the granite walls of the historic church. Now aged 101, she has reflected on her memories of the present church building as it celebrated its 75th anniversary last weekend. The current building was consecrated on All Saints' Day (1st November) 1933 by Bishop Grierson and on the same day this year, Bishop Harold Miller led a service of celebration to mark 75 years since the church opened its doors.
Mrs Torney, who was the church organist for over 40 years, is ablt to recall the original simple whitewashed building that was used by the parish from 1788 before it was replaced in 1932. The impressive building as it stands today was built to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of when St Patrick formed the first church in Ireland in Saul. The building is a close copy of and early Christian Church and features a round tower, built on the site believed to be where St Patrick delivered his first sermon in Ireland.
Many features of the church building point towards the heritage of St Patrick: furnishings are predominantly coloured blue - the colour traditionally acknowledged to be St Patrick's colour, the cross of St Patrick is located above the west door of the church, the floor tiles feature a shamrock pattern and a fabulous stained glass window dominates the east end.
"It was a small church but it was a small congregation at the time, so it suited," she said. "I was there when the church was rebuilt and I played the organ at the laying of the first foundation stone. It was built from granitebrought in from the Mournes and there was great excitement when it was finished." The church has intimate associations with the Patron Saint and it is a heritage that Mrs Torney was all too aware of as she was growing up.
"He arrived from Strangford Lough and came up the Slaney River to Raholp before coming to Saul and the church," she said. "St Patrick has always been remembered by the church."The church at Saul has been described as the 'cradle of Irish Christianity' and Mrs Torney stands testimony to its major significance for Christians across the world.
Life is very different now to how it was when Mrs Torney went to worship. No car park was needed and families had to make a real effort to attend. "I was born in the parish in 1907. I remember going to Sunday School every week with my four brothers and five sisters when we had to walk over three miles to get there from our home." she said. "We all had to walk in those days, there were no cars. But I do remember the first car that came to the area - a Dr McLoughlin from Strangford owned it." The pivotal role of Mrs Torney's faith and the church in her life is all the more evident by the portrait of the church and its distinctive round tower that hangs, pride of place, in her room at Silver Birch Lodge Nursing Home in Saintfield.
Mrs Torney enjoyed her time as organist and is long remembered by parishioners for her talents. Revd John McCracken was the Rector when she first took up the post in the 1920s and she vividly remembers some occasions when she experienced anxiety at the keyboard. "To celebrate St Patrick's Day, there were three special broadcasts on the radio. One was on BBC and two were to be broadcast overseas. I was nervous about playing during this and I don't know how I did it, but it was okay."
Mrs Torney has been visited by Dean Henry Hull, Rector of Saul, and keeps in touch with parishioners. REgular visits are paid to her by her close-knit family. She has two sons, Jack and Jim, ten greatgrandchildren and five grandchildren.
With thanks to Joanne Crozier of the Down Democrat Newspaper for compiling most of this article.
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