Christ Church Cathedral Dublin Represented in the USA – The Dean and Precentor’s American Trip 2026: The Dean and I travelled to the United States on Friday 27 February to carry out networking engagements with the Episcopal Church and to attend and represent the cathedral at the annual Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, we travelled firstly to St Philip’s cathedral to meet the dean of Atlanta, the Very Revd Samuel G Candler and his wife. On Saturday 28 February we toured the impressive cathedral complex of schools, offices, meeting areas and cathedral proper. St Philip’s cathedral was built 67 years ago, in the early English Gothic style of architecture, utilising steel supports, rather than stone, buttressing the walls of Tennessee quartzite. The cathedral boasts a Celtic cross over the altar and an impressive suite of stained–glass windows designed by Elizabeth Gaudin of the Willet Studio and dating from 1962. One of the window roundels depicts Ireland’s own St Columba.

We then visited the latest addition to the cathedral complex, the newly constructed octagonal chapel known as the Good Faith Chapel. The cathedral’s newest worship space will afford the community an extended opportunity for prayer, contemplation, worship and education with the aim being to accommodate worship in many forms and configurations. The chapel will contain a movable altar and chairs—designed especially for the space by Luke Hughes—while the roof boasts an oculus, a 20–foot–wide clear glass, bowed window to provide an unobstructed view of the sky and to be ‘an eyepiece to the heavens’, to use Dean Samuel’s words. Five large LED screens will adorn the walls with digital content, specifically crafted for each liturgical event or season. The chapel floor will be carpeted with a custom–made labyrinth design. The chapel is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026, and we were delighted to view this space—without its furnishings—a few weeks ahead of its official dedication.The Dean with the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo from the Anglican Communion Office. Bishop Anthony is a bishop in the Church in South Sudan.

The Dean preached at the two Sunday morning eucharists in St Philip’s cathedral on Sunday 1 March. Between the two celebrations, members from both congregations gathered for an informal discussion about religious faith in Ireland and the US, which included time for Dean Dermot to reflect on his own faith journey and our work in Dublin. This was followed by a question–and–answer session, and many who gathered spoke about their Irish connections and how much they valued their links with Ireland. As precentor, I was also able to share some pieces about my life, faith journey and work at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Monday was spent in preparation for the EPN conference and flying from Atlanta to Charlotte. We travelled to the EPN conference hotel on the morning of Tuesday 2 March and were quickly met by one of the conference organizers especially tasked with looking out for ‘our friends’ – the two Irish priests! We set about preparing our Christ Church Cathedral display stand (or booth, to use the American conference term). The Dean had brought two suitcases of literature, books and souvenirs, all of which we arranged to attract attention. Offering assistance to us throughout this endeavour was the Revd Donald Fishburne, who has preached in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin and was a past president of the EPN conference. Donald is now involved with organising pilgrimage tours from the USA to Ireland, mainland Europe and the Holy Land. Tuesday was designated a pre–conference day and soon the hotel was filled with over 850 delegates from all over the Episcopal Church, both clergy and lay workers. Our Christ Church stall quickly attracted the attention of the delegates, partially because of the quality and quantity of our ‘freebies’ or ‘merch’ on offer and the fact that our cathedral is about to celebrate our 1,000th birthday in 2028. Many of those who stopped to chat could barely comprehend that a building could be so old and stopped to say how delighted they were to welcome the Irish delegation. The Dean alongside Davidson’s Homeless Jesus.

The next few days were a bit of a proverbial blur—early morning starts, endless conversations, networking opportunities, questions answered—all done with the best of Irish charm and wit! We attended some of the main conference sessions also, the highlight of which was the interviewing of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe by a celebratory television presenter. Primarily, though, we were there to bring the message of Christ Church and the forthcoming millennium to the American church and this we did to the very best of our ability. New friendships were forged, contacts made and we came away from the conference feeling that we did everything possible to spread the news we had to tell. We were delighted to meet representatives of the Church in Ghana, the Compass Rose Society, the Episcopal Theological Colleges, Publishing Houses, the Friends of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago, the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion Office, Luke Hughes, Ecclesiastical Church Furnishers, and representatives of many of the Episcopal parishes, both clergy and laity. The interior of St Alban’s Church, Davidson.

On Saturday 7 March we travelled to St Alban’s Church, Davidson to meet with the Revd Carmen Germino and her family. St Alban’s is the home of the Homeless Jesus project, and the original statue is situated outside the main gates of the church. Carmen and her family welcomed us as old friends and the time spent with them in her beautiful church was deeply profound. Carmen’s husband Matt then sang for us the Homeless Jesus hymn which Carmen had written and which we vowed we would take back to Christ Church with us. It was beautifully sung by our own choir on Sunday 15 March. Christ Church, Charlotte – the original church.

On Sunday 8 March, the Dean preached at the two celebrations of the Eucharist in Christ Church, Charlotte and spoke also at their Sunday Faith Forum. I met with the contemporary music group and enjoyed getting to know the team and their work involving the parish’s contemporary worship. Christ Church is a large parish with two worship spaces that include the original parish church and a modern–purpose worship centre. On a Sunday morning, two services take place at the same time, one in each of the worship spaces. On any given Sunday there is also a weekly Bible study, Sunday brunch, spiritual soul care with guided prayer and journaling. Weekday activities include a Wednesday dinner buffet, Wednesday night childcare, choirs, knitting and crochet, youth activities and clergy classes. During Lent all are asked to come to the church and pray the Stations of the Cross as part of Lenten discipline. Christ Church has just opened an enormous new welcome complex with a large meeting space and catering facilities with further parish office spaces. Parishioners are happily getting to know their latest parish property, carefully constructed and linked to the main parish buildings. The Dean with Caroline Thompson from the Anglican Communion Office. Caroline is wearing her Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin fleece!

The Anglican faith is alive and well in the southern states of America and many parishes are in building and development mode. There are many projects taking place to improve and enhance the traditional role of parish and community and it is heartening to see a church live its faith both creatively and with great hope for the future. We were welcomed with open arms by all we encountered and people were delighted and indeed encouraged by our visit. Sometimes, we think of visitors to our churches as being ‘just’ tourists but there is a great appetite for something more spiritual. Spiritual tourism and pilgrimage are widely practiced by our cousins in the Episcopal Church, and it is important that we reach out and embrace this model of ministry also. The Dean with the Rt Revd Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, assistant bishop of North Carolina and Martha Alexander from Christ Church, Charlotte.

Religious faith is noticeable elsewhere outside the parish churches. It was extraordinary to walk into the Barnes & Noble book shop in Atlanta’s Peachtree Road and see the enormous Christianity section—rows upon rows of Bibles, commentaries, Christian books, and resources—far more than ever carried by Dublin’s religious bookshops. In the Atlanta airport bookshop were revolving carousels complete with mindfulness colouring books themed around the parables and the Psalms. Religiosity and faith is alive and well, and it is lived in everyday life and experience—certainly no risk of offending anyone with a ‘God bless’ or ‘Bless you’!

The Dean and I flew home on Monday 9 March and arrived back at 08:30 on Tuesday. The Revd Chip Edens, Rector of Christ Church, Charlotte with the Revd Donald Fishburne following their joint investiture into the Order of St Laurence by the Very Revd Dermot Dunne. https://dublin.anglican.org/news/2026/04/22/christ-church-cathedral-dublin-represented?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Christ Church Cathedral Dublin in the USA

A journey of connection, faith, and shared story

In late February 2026, the Dean and Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin travelled to the United States to strengthen ties with the Episcopal Church and represent the cathedral at the Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A Warm Welcome in Atlanta

Their visit began in Atlanta at St Philip’s Cathedral, where they were welcomed by the Dean, the Very Revd Samuel G. Candler. The cathedral’s striking blend of English Gothic design and modern construction—using steel supports and Tennessee quartzite—offered a vivid example of tradition meeting innovation.

A particular highlight was the Good Faith Chapel, a newly built worship space designed for flexibility and contemplation. With a central oculus opening to the sky, movable furnishings, digital displays, and a labyrinth floor, it is intended to support a wide range of liturgical and prayerful experiences.

Worship, Conversation, and Shared Faith

On Sunday, the Dean preached at two Eucharists, followed by informal discussions on faith in Ireland and the United States. These conversations revealed a deep affection for Ireland among American congregations and a strong desire for continued connection within the Anglican Communion.

Representing Dublin at a Global Gathering

At the EPN Conference in Charlotte, over 850 delegates gathered from across the Episcopal Church. The Christ Church Cathedral stand—featuring books, materials, and news of the cathedral’s upcoming 1,000th anniversary in 2028—quickly drew interest and curiosity.

Over several days, the delegation engaged in conversations, answered questions, and built relationships, sharing the story and life of Christ Church with clergy and laity from across the wider church.

Encounters that Stay with You

Visits to St Alban’s Church in Davidson and Christ Church, Charlotte offered moments of deep hospitality and reflection. At St Alban’s, the “Homeless Jesus” project and its accompanying hymn left a lasting impression—one already brought back into the worship life of Christ Church Cathedral.

In Charlotte, the vitality of parish life was clear: multiple worship styles, strong community programmes, and continued development of parish facilities all spoke of a church actively living out its faith.

A Living, Confident Faith

One of the most striking impressions was the visibility of faith in everyday American life—from parish activity to the prominence of Christian resources in public spaces. There was a clear sense of confidence and openness, alongside a strong interest in pilgrimage and spiritual connection with places such as Dublin.

Looking Ahead

The visit strengthened relationships, opened new opportunities for partnership and pilgrimage, and highlighted how the story of Christ Church Cathedral—approaching its millennium—resonates far beyond Ireland.

A journey marked by welcome, witness, and shared hope.