The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir

When Kevin Kelly first suggested the idea of a gospel choir, which would sing at mass each Sunday, Edmond Grace, the pastoral director at the time had to try it. Kevin was the organist in Gardiner Street and - from head chorister of the Palestrina Choir to lead singer in a rock group with a weekly gig at the Brazen Head - he had wide performing experience. But what won Edmond over was Kevins enthusiasm - as well as their friendship which had been growing for over three years.

The very first meeting of choir was on 22 March 2000. After an informal social gathering in the choir room, they were brought up to the fully lit, but empty, church. Its a historic building, not because 'great' events have happened there, but because for almost two hundred years ordinary people have come through the doors with their pain and their hope.

Appropriately enough, the gospel choir includes among its members, people from nearby and elsewhere who have strong family links with Gardiner Street. They also reflect Dublin as it is today, coming from diverse backgrounds in Ireland and elsewhere.

The first Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass took place on 7 May, 2000 with two keyboards and sixteen singers - twelve female and four male. The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass marks the opening of a new chapter in the story of St. Francis Xavier's church in Gardiner Street. This story is part of Dublin's heritage, probably since the laying of the foundation stone in 1829. So what is this new chapter about?

The choir now under the musical direction of Aidan Greene, is still spreading the good news as far and as wide as possible. Over the last two years, the choir and band have played in various venues ranging from schools for disabled children, prisons, charity events, and large scale concerts as well as the weekly mass in Gardiner Street.

The energy and spirit which exudes from their performances is truly amazing. Every Sunday over 40 people take the time out of their own lives to worship, sing and rejoice as part of the choir and band, a group of truly inspirational people whose love of music and each other helps to make the Gardiner Street gospel choir mass what it is.