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The Servants' Church

Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar

RathgarGothic Revival

This church is still ahead. Its chapter will be written when its visit comes.

§What is known
Built
1862 · Patrick Byrne (1860); W.H. Byrne, facade completed 1891
Style
Gothic Revival
Dedication
Three Patrons

Mass times

Sunday
9:30 AM · 12:15 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Monday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Tuesday
6:00 PM (Weekday Mass)
Wednesday
10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
Thursday
6:00 PM (Weekday Mass)
§Where
Address
Rathgar Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6 · D06 RH30
Open route ↗ Official website ↗ Return to the map

No photographs yet — the essay appears only after the visit.

§Notes

Fragments gathered while researching this church: stories, curiosities, people and dates.

Local nickname, the Servants' Church

A local history source states the church became known as the Servants' Church after a wealthy parishioner and, separately, contributions from what the source calls the humbler classes, funded it so that Catholic domestic servants in Rathgar could attend Mass without the long journey to Rathmines.

Unusual west to east orientation

Archiseek notes the church sits on a corner site and is oriented west to east rather than the more traditional east to west axis, with an ambulatory of curved chapels behind the chancel unusual for a Roman Catholic parish church.

Timeline

  • 1860
    Foundation stone laid The foundation stone of the new church, designed by Patrick Byrne for Father William Meagher, was laid on 18 March 1860.
  • 1862
    Church dedicated The church was dedicated on 18 May 1862 to Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid and Saint Columba.
  • 1882
    High altar and side altars added A high altar designed by Joseph Farrell was installed in 1882; three side altars, a sacristy and a porch by O'Neill & Byrne followed in 1882 to 1883.
  • 1891
    Facade completed The exterior, left unfinished at the original construction, had its facade completed by W.H. Byrne in 1891.
  • 1927
    Interior decoration by Ashlin and Coleman Ashlin & Coleman carried out interior decoration in 1927 and added the St Aloysius altar in 1932.

People

  • Patrick Byrne (1783-1864) Architect of the original church — Patrick Byrne designed the church for Father William Meagher; it was one of his last works.
  • Joseph Farrell Designer of the high altar — Joseph Farrell of Farrell & Sons designed the high altar, installed in 1882.
  • William Meagher Parish priest who commissioned the church — Father William Meagher commissioned the church from Patrick Byrne.