The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

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Special service marks Canon Cochrane’s ministry

Tuesday September 25th 2007

The Rev Canon Dr Ken Cochrane will preach his final sermon as Senior Minister of Christ Church Parish at a service of Evening Prayer on Sunday September 30 at 6.30pm. 

Canon Cochrane, who was curate in Christ Church from May to September 1962, became curate in charge of the new district of St Paul’s, daughter church of Christ Church.  He was instituted as rector of St Paul’s Parish Church in January 1965 and after his retirement in December 1998 he became assistant to Canon Samuel McComb at Christ Church in 1999.  As senior minister, Canon Cochrane has been assisting the present Rector, the Rev Paul Dundas, who was instituted in Christ Church Parish in January 2005.

During his incumbency in St Paul’s he became Examining Chaplain to two Bishops of Connor.  He was appointed to the Board of Nomination of the Diocese of Connor and later Canon of Belfast Cathedral.  Dr Samuel Poyntz, former Bishop of Connor, appointed him as Canon of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, representing the Diocese.  He also became Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Connor.  At the request of the late Bishop Arthur Butler, Ken gave a lecture entitled ‘The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit’ in St George’s Chapel, Windsor to lecturers and graduates from various English Universities.

Also during his 36 years ministry at St Paul’s, he appointed nine Curates – one became a Bishop, two became Deans, some became Canons and one obtained a PHD.  He and his wife Mildred have seen eight candidates from St Paul’s enter the full-time ministry – one has already become a Dean and one a Parish Reader.

Canon Cochrane recalls that in the early days of St Paul’s, 500 children attended the Sunday Schools under the supervision of 50 teachers.  So large were the number of children attending the morning and afternoon Sunday Schools that they were accommodated in two 1918 Army Huts and a Schoolhouse on the Longstone.

Ken says: “I am just a channel through whom the Holy Spirit can work to enable me to fulfil my vocation in life.  In relation to this the Lord has blessed me with a very supportive wife and family.”  Both he and his wife Mildred will continue as parishioners of Christ Church Parish.

The rector and Select Vestry of Christ Church Parish extend an invitation to join with them for the special service on Sunday evening marking Canon Ken Cochrane’s long and faithful ministry in the Diocese of Connor and in particular his exemplary pastoral service to the City of Lisburn.  There will be a reception held after the service in the Parish Hall, where there will be an opportunity for the Parish to recognise the wonderful contribution that he has made to Christ Church as the Senior Minister.

Story and photo contributed by John Kelly.

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