Birth register for the Coombe Hospital
The parish website states that from 1783 to 1967, while the Coombe Hospital stood at its original nearby location, the births of Catholics born there were registered at this church.
← The Church
To come
St Nicholas of Myra, Francis Street
This church is still ahead. Its chapter will be written when its visit comes.
§What is known
- Built
- 1834 · John Leeson
- Style
- Classical (Greek Revival)
- Dedication
- St Nicholas of Myra
Mass times
- Sunday
- 12:00 PM
- Saturday
- 6:00 PM
- Monday
- 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
- Tuesday
- 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
- Wednesday
- 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
- Thursday
- 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
- Friday
- 10:00 AM (Weekday Mass)
No photographs yet — the essay appears only after the visit.
§Notes
Fragments gathered while researching this church: stories, curiosities, people and dates.
Legion of Mary founding memorial
A memorial panel in the church commemorates the founding of the Legion of Mary in nearby Myra House in 1921, per the parish website.
Timeline
-
1235
Franciscan stone church or monastery built The parish website states a stone church or monastery was built in 1235 for the Franciscan order by Archbishop John Cumin, replacing an earlier timber church on the site.
-
1829
Construction of present church begins Construction of the current church began in 1829, shortly after Catholic Emancipation, to designs by John Leeson.
-
1834
Church opens The church opened in 1834, per the parish website and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
-
1835
Church dedicated The parish website states the church was dedicated in 1835, following its opening the previous year.
-
1860
Portico and bell tower completed A portico and bell tower designed by John Bourke were added between 1856 and 1860, per the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
-
1921
Legion of Mary founded in Myra House The parish website states a memorial panel in the church commemorates the founding of the Legion of Mary in nearby Myra House in 1921.
People
- John Leeson (died circa 1855) Architect of the original church, 1829-1834 — The Dictionary of Irish Architects credits Leeson with mapping out the church's principal lines. He had earlier served as clerk of works at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral from 1819 to 1822.
- John Bourke Architect of the portico and bell tower, 1856-1860 — Named by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as the architect of the later portico and bell tower.
- Harry Clarke (1889-1931) Stained glass artist — The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage attributes a stained glass window depicting the Marriage of the Virgin Mary to Harry Clarke.
- John Hogan (1800-1858) Sculptor of the church's Pieta — The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage credits the sculptor John Hogan with a Pieta held in the church.