Brief history of St Paul’s Church and its parochial hall
The Church of St Paul Glenageary is one of seven churches that were built in the old Parish of Monkstown in Co Dublin. The cost of its erection was provided out of a bequest by a Miss Shannon, a wealthy lady of Belfast, left by her to build a number of churches in or near Dublin. To this bequest are due Zion Church Rathgar, St Barnabas’s, North Lotts Dublin and St Kevin’s South Circular Road.
Construction of the main body of the church and rectangular chancel, along with the spire, was completed in 1868. On the 3rd January 1868, the Daily Express issued the following account:
“The new church at St Paul’s, Glenageary, was opened for public worship for the first time yesterday morning.
“The church of St Paul is of the gothic style of architecture and although not large, is extremely tasteful and imposing. The building measures 101 ft. 6 in. internally by 35 ft. 6 inches wide and 55 ft. 6 inches high to the ridge. It comprises a Nave and Chancel measuring 18 ft. 6 inches by 21 ft. It is in the Decorative style and has at the south west corner a tower and spire raising to a height of 120 ft. to the top of the iron Finial.
“The structure was erected by Mr. John Nolan of Dublin from the design of Mr. A Jones, Architect.”
The consecration of the church was postponed until Sunday July 8th 1868 as the building had yet to be completed.
In 1869, the organ was installed, located at an unorthodox location at the eastern side of the rectangular chancel under the rose or wheel window (which has since been removed after the addition of the apse).
In 1872 the first bells were installed in the tower with the peal being completed some five years later. Construction of the transept and organ enclosure of the eastern side of the building was completed in 1898. Construction of the Chancel Apse was completed in 1913 resulting in the building form that currently exists.
The existing church building form expresses clearly the several alterations and extensions to the original, resulting in several volumes that are interconnected, but with each retaining their own identity. The original building was designed in an architectural style that was popular at that time, and reflects good design practice of the day. The steep pitched roofs, and the clear detailing and rough cut stonework tied together by strong horizontal banding creates a strong identity for the church.
Dry rot was discovered in the church in 1980/81 over the organ, which was then located in the chancel. At this time the plaster was removed from the walls in the nave and the previous lighting and heating system installed.
The organ was re located to its present position in the side chapel in 1993. A number of changes were also made to the chancel, which was extended and made into a more flexible space. A robing room and parish office was created in the space vacated by the organ and a toilet installed at the back of the church. A universal access ramp was constructed in 2009.
Parochial Hall
The site for the parochial hall on Adelaide Road was obtained in 1910, with the building being opened in February 1912. The building remained in its original form until 1968 when an extension to its west side, to provide for a caretaker’s apartment as well as additional meeting rooms and facilities, was added.
The sod was turned to begin construction work on a new parish centre within the grounds of the church on Sunday 19th March 2006. Obtaining planning permission was a torturous process which involved eight planning applications beginning in 2000. The new Parish Centre was officially opened by President Mary McAleese on Sunday April 23rd, 2007.
Restoration work to church completed 2012-2013
The cost of this major restoration work has amounted to €1.5 million. The bulk of this money came from reserves. There was money left following the sale of the old Parish Hall and the construction of the new parish centre. A house left to the parish by the late Odette Gatenby was sold and the proceeds added to the restoration fund. In the present economic climate the select vestry decided on a low key approach to fund raising. An appeal was launched and to date this has raised just over €60,000. It was decided that it was important to ask parishioners to make a contribution if they were in a position to do so.
The church was closed for 41 weeks while the work was being carried out. During that time we worshipped in the parish centre and over Christmas and New Year had a number of joint services with our neighbours in Christ Church, Dun Laoghaire. We returned to St Paul’s on Mothering Sunday, 10th March 2013.
The GZ is a short walk from Glenageary dart station.
Please replace the cache as you found it.
BYOP
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