9 Feb 2026, 01:42IM CommunicationsDublin, Ireland
Drumcondra Congregation is Formally Recognised as a Church
Saturday 24th January 2026 marked the transition of the Drumcondra congregation in Dublin from a group functioning as a registered company to a fully established local church within the Irish Mission (Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland). This change reflects the congregation’s growth in leadership, stability, financial independence, and readiness to operate as a recognised local church. Today, Drumcondra Church is led by Pastor Maicol Cortes and has a membership of 94 members.
Pastor Adam Keough, President of the Irish Mission; and Pastor Ben Pontanar, Executive Secretary of the Irish Mission; were present on this special service, as well as other pastors who were part of the early stages of the group. Members and families also shared memories of the beginning of Drumcondra Church and testified to the impact the congregation has had over the years.
The service started with songs of gratitude, including the hymn “Blessed Assurance.” Pastor Adam Keough then reflected on the significance of the moment. “The story of Drumcondra Church has been a beautiful one. It started as a very small group, and over time it grew and grew,” he said. “This community of faith was born in the heart of God and it is still in the heart of God.”
Pastor Ben Pontanar highlighted how Drumcondra’s story fits into the wider Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. “This moment marks not only a significant milestone in the congregation’s journey of faith. This is the beginning of a new chapter of service, mission and witness in the community”, he emphasised.
He also shared that on the Island of Ireland there are now 34 Adventist congregations, 16 organised churches, 14 companies and 4 groups. “Never forget God’s calling on your lives and His calling upon this church,” he reminded the congregation. “Remember that you are part of a global family of believers.”
A Church Created with Intention
Pastor Stephen Wilson, who led the core group that planned Drumcondra and later became its first pastor, shared that the church plant was developed intentionally. For many years, Ranelagh was the only Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dublin, but as immigration increased and more young people began arriving in Ireland for short-term English courses, the need for another congregation became clear.
“This really hadn’t happened before,” Pastor Stephen explained. “Many young people were coming for just a few months.” He added that relocating to a new country could be lonely, and faith could easily be pushed aside. “When you come to a new country, you need community. Church is the answer.”
The vision was to create a welcoming church that would nurture young people spiritually, support them emotionally, and strengthen their faith. And even if they stayed in Ireland for only a short time, they would return home encouraged and enriched.
Early Days of the Drumcondra Community
Pastor Tiago Rossendy also shared personal memories of the church’s early days. He recalled arriving in Ireland from Brazil after completing his theology studies, eager to serve God. “Even though I was here to study English, I told myself: ‘I’m coming as a missionary,’” he said.
He started attending Ranelagh Church and after noticing how crowded it had become, he felt strongly that Dublin needed another congregation. Soon after, Pastor Stephen invited members to sign up for a new church plant. “He said, ‘At the door, there is a sheet of paper. If you want to be part of this new community, please write your name.’ I knew immediately: this is the moment,” Pastor Tiago recalled.
Those who signed up began meeting every Sabbath afternoon in the Maldron Hotel in Dublin city centre to pray, study, and plan. After months of preparation, the group held their first Sabbath morning gathering and the congregation began to grow rapidly. Eventually, the church moved to Drumcondra, where it continued developing into the community it is today.
Looking back, Pastor Tiago expressed gratitude for God’s leading. “God gave me one of the most meaningful ministry experiences of my life through this journey,” he shared.
A Family Away from Home
Jeferson Nascimento joined Drumcondra in February 2014, when the group was still meeting in a hotel. He remained part of the congregation until October 2015 and described Drumcondra as a family for many young people living far from home. “Most of us were students. We were far from our families… and Drumcondra became our family,” he shared.
He recalled how members spent the entire Sabbath together through worship, meals, and fellowship. “It was really a nice environment. You could see that people cared for one another and you could feel the presence of God there”, he said.
One of his strongest memories was inviting a classmate to church, who ended up staying from morning until late in the evening. “When he left, it was around 10pm,” Jeferson remembered. “And he looked at me and said, ‘Jef, I didn’t know that church was so cool. Are all churches like that?’”
Jeferson also reflected on how serving in the greeting team helped transform his own character and reminded him of the importance of welcoming everyone with love and grace.
What Does It Mean to Be a Church?
Pastor Adam Keough concluded by reminding the congregation that being recognised as an organised church is not only about structure, but about mission and love. “My dream is that the church will be a place where the same love which God shows towards us, we show towards each other,” he said.
He encouraged members to remain faithful to their calling and to continue depending on Christ daily, allowing God’s love to be reflected through their witness in Dublin and beyond.
Saturday 24th January 2026 marked the transition of the Drumcondra congregation in Dublin from a group functioning as a registered company to a fully established local church within the Irish Mission (Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ireland). This change reflects the congregation’s growth in leadership, stability, financial independence, and readiness to operate as a recognised local church. Today, Drumcondra Church is led by Pastor Maicol Cortes and has a membership of 94 members.
Pastor Adam Keough, President of the Irish Mission; and Pastor Ben Pontanar, Executive Secretary of the Irish Mission; were present on this special service, as well as other pastors who were part of the early stages of the group. Members and families also shared memories of the beginning of Drumcondra Church and testified to the impact the congregation has had over the years.
The service started with songs of gratitude, including the hymn “Blessed Assurance.” Pastor Adam Keough then reflected on the significance of the moment. “The story of Drumcondra Church has been a beautiful one. It started as a very small group, and over time it grew and grew,” he said. “This community of faith was born in the heart of God and it is still in the heart of God.”
Pastor Ben Pontanar highlighted how Drumcondra’s story fits into the wider Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. “This moment marks not only a significant milestone in the congregation’s journey of faith. This is the beginning of a new chapter of service, mission and witness in the community”, he emphasised.
He also shared that on the Island of Ireland there are now 34 Adventist congregations, 16 organised churches, 14 companies and 4 groups. “Never forget God’s calling on your lives and His calling upon this church,” he reminded the congregation. “Remember that you are part of a global family of believers.”
A Church Created with Intention
Pastor Stephen Wilson, who led the core group that planned Drumcondra and later became its first pastor, shared that the church plant was developed intentionally. For many years, Ranelagh was the only Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dublin, but as immigration increased and more young people began arriving in Ireland for short-term English courses, the need for another congregation became clear.
“This really hadn’t happened before,” Pastor Stephen explained. “Many young people were coming for just a few months.” He added that relocating to a new country could be lonely, and faith could easily be pushed aside. “When you come to a new country, you need community. Church is the answer.”
The vision was to create a welcoming church that would nurture young people spiritually, support them emotionally, and strengthen their faith. And even if they stayed in Ireland for only a short time, they would return home encouraged and enriched.
Early Days of the Drumcondra Community
Pastor Tiago Rossendy also shared personal memories of the church’s early days. He recalled arriving in Ireland from Brazil after completing his theology studies, eager to serve God. “Even though I was here to study English, I told myself: ‘I’m coming as a missionary,’” he said.
He started attending Ranelagh Church and after noticing how crowded it had become, he felt strongly that Dublin needed another congregation. Soon after, Pastor Stephen invited members to sign up for a new church plant. “He said, ‘At the door, there is a sheet of paper. If you want to be part of this new community, please write your name.’ I knew immediately: this is the moment,” Pastor Tiago recalled.
Those who signed up began meeting every Sabbath afternoon in the Maldron Hotel in Dublin city centre to pray, study, and plan. After months of preparation, the group held their first Sabbath morning gathering and the congregation began to grow rapidly. Eventually, the church moved to Drumcondra, where it continued developing into the community it is today.
Looking back, Pastor Tiago expressed gratitude for God’s leading. “God gave me one of the most meaningful ministry experiences of my life through this journey,” he shared.
A Family Away from Home
Jeferson Nascimento joined Drumcondra in February 2014, when the group was still meeting in a hotel. He remained part of the congregation until October 2015 and described Drumcondra as a family for many young people living far from home. “Most of us were students. We were far from our families… and Drumcondra became our family,” he shared.
He recalled how members spent the entire Sabbath together through worship, meals, and fellowship. “It was really a nice environment. You could see that people cared for one another and you could feel the presence of God there”, he said.
One of his strongest memories was inviting a classmate to church, who ended up staying from morning until late in the evening. “When he left, it was around 10pm,” Jeferson remembered. “And he looked at me and said, ‘Jef, I didn’t know that church was so cool. Are all churches like that?’”
Jeferson also reflected on how serving in the greeting team helped transform his own character and reminded him of the importance of welcoming everyone with love and grace.
What Does It Mean to Be a Church?
Pastor Adam Keough concluded by reminding the congregation that being recognised as an organised church is not only about structure, but about mission and love. “My dream is that the church will be a place where the same love which God shows towards us, we show towards each other,” he said.
He encouraged members to remain faithful to their calling and to continue depending on Christ daily, allowing God’s love to be reflected through their witness in Dublin and beyond.
