An inspiring achievement!
The rector of Seapatrick, the Ven. John Scott - who is also Archdeacon of Dromore - decided that his legacy to the parish before he retired later this year would be to oversee the completion and payment of the repair and restoration of the spire.
Renowned for its crookedness, the spire was reported to be giving serious cause for concern after an inspection 18 months ago.
Taking inspiration from Nehemiah, who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days upon returning from exile, Archdeacon Scott set his parishioners and the wider community a target of 52 weeks to raise funds of £200,000 - in excess of the parish's general income - in order to have the work completed between March 2010 and 2011.
The fundraising target was achieved by Christmas 2010 - three months ahead of schedule - and the work completed by Easter of this year. Some extra remedial work is currently being attended to and it is hoped that the whole project will be completed by Sunday 26th June, when the restored spire will be dedicated by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd Harold Miller, at a special service of thanksgiving at 10.30am.
Reflecting both back and ahead, Archdeacon Scott, who has been rector for 21 years, said that he was looking forward to retirement and expressed his thanks to parishioners, the local community and friends who had raised the funds - together with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency - and all who had been involved in carrying out the restoration work.