The institution of a new rector of the Church of Ireland Parish of Rossorry, the second largest in the Clogher Diocese after St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, took place on Friday evening.

The Rev.Dr. Ian Ellis took up his position after serving for 12 years as Secretary at the Board of Education with the Church of Ireland in Belfast. He was previously rector of Loughgall and Grange in Co. Armagh.

Dr. Ellis moves into the rectory with his wife, Heather. They have three children; sons, Mark and Timothy who are both solicitors in the City of London and a daughter, Naomi, a final year student at Durham University.

A large number of people attended the service. Parishioners of Rossorry were joined by many others who travelled from Seagoe Parish, Portadown, where the family worshipped and were involved in, as well as Loughgall and Grange, his previous parish as rector and also colleagues from the Board of Education where he worked as Secretary.

The institution was carried out by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Rev. John McDowell and the preacher was Lord Eames, immediate past Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland. A large number of clergy also attended, including the Dean, the Very Rev. Kenneth Hall and Chapter of the Clogher Diocese; the Archdeacon Emeritus, the Venerable Cecil Pringle; the present Archdeacon, the Venerable Helene Steed; the Diocesan Registrar, Chancellor John Stewart and Rural Dean, Canon David Skuce who has been looking after the parish during the vacancy. Visiting clergy from other denominations included Mr. Gareth Hadyn, from the Methodist Church’s Springfield and Church Hill District; Father Brian D’Arcy from the Graan and Monsignor Peter O’Reilly from St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen.

The readings were by Denzil McDaniel, Mark Ellis and Alan Houston and the hymns included “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;” “Be still, for the presence of the Lord,” “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,” “Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,” “From heav’n you came, helpless babe” and “We have a gospel to proclaim.” The organist was Mrs. Catherine Irwin who led the choir and praise band, M-blaze.

The sermon was preached by Lord Eames who spoke of his work with the Rev.Ellis over many years. He had instituted him as Curate for St. Mark’s Parish, Portadown, as Rector of Loughall and Grange and he chaired the Board of Education of which the Rev. Ellis was secretary over so many years.

During the commission, the congregation sang the hymn “Lord, you give the great commission,” while a number of people from the parish read portions of Scripture at various parts of the church.

At a tea reception afterwards in the Parish Hall, Canon David Skuce, Rural Dean, introduced the various speakers who included Mr. Malcolm Dawson, from Loughgall and Grange parishes where Dr Ellis previously served as rector; Mr. Gareth Hayden representing the Methodist Church; Mrs Dorothy Wilson, Parish Secretary on behalf of Rossorry Parish; Monsignor Peter O’Reilly on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church; Fr. Brian D’Arcy on behalf of the Graan Passionist Monastery, Dr Ian Ellis and the Bishop.

Dr. Ellis stated: “I am really pleased and honoured to be appointed to Rossorry parish and look forward to getting to know the parishioners. It will be a great privilege to live and serve God in the beautiful surroundings of Enniskillen.” Commenting on Ian’s appointment, the Bishop of Clogher said; “I am delighted that Dr. Ellis has become the rector of Rossorry. He brings many gifts to the parish and to the diocese. Along with his many friends throughout the Church of Ireland I wish him well as he and Heather settle into parish life.’ Dr. Ellis who succeeds the Very Rev. Arthur Barrett, now Dean of Raphoe in Co. Donegal, served as Secretary to the Church of Ireland Board of Education NI before taking up the appointment in Rossorry. He graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1979 with a BSc in Physics, completed a PGCE and taught in Antrim Grammar School until 1986 when he began training for the ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin and the Church of Ireland Theological College in 1989 with a BTh and was ordained to serve as curate assistant in St Mark’s Armagh from 1989-1991. He was then appointed rector of the grouped parishes of Loughgall and Grange also in Armagh diocese, where he remained until taking up his position with the Board of Education in 2002. He completed a Doctorate in Education at the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast in 2013 and his topic was a study of the relationship between pupils spiritual development and school ethos.

In his previous role, he advised the Board of developments in education in Northern Ireland and represented it at all levels of education in Northern Ireland. He worked closely with the education secretaries of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches through the Transferror Representatives Council (TRC) of which he is secretary. He also provided advice to parishes and dioceses on the implementation of Safeguarding Trust - the Church’s child protection code. His work also supported children’s ministry including being a member of the organising group for the Building Blocks Children’s ministry conferences.

Dr. Ellis and Heather have three grown up children: Mark and Timothy who are solicitors in the City of London and Naomi who is in her final year of studies in Durham University. Mark is married to Judith who is an optometrist. Heather is a Human Resource professional and has retired from the Southern Health and Social Services Trust. She has been involved as Co-ordinator of Fundraising and Communications for Down and Dromore Diocesan Mothers’ Union and her other interests include: Rotary International, volunteering with: the Trussell Trust Food Bank, and ‘Roots of Empathy’ - a classroom programme for primary schoolchildren.